RUNDU - A 33-year-old lower primary school teacher from the Supo Junior Primary School in the Bunya circuit of Kavango West was arrested on Saturday after she was reported for allegedly practising corporal punishment at the school.

Christine Mantengo Kupembona, who was denied bail when she appeared before magistrate Barry Mufana in the Kahenge periodic court on Monday, is also the only teacher at the school. She teaches Grades One to Three, and the 30 learners at the rural school will now remain without a teacher.

The accused was charged with seven counts of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and seven counts of assault by threatening to learners who were injured after being asked to crawl around a tree after they reported late for school last week.

“The State fears that she will interfere with police investigations and witnesses, and it will not be in the interest of the administration of justice,” said public prosecutor Godfrey Shivolo.

Kupembona’s case was remanded to 16 June for further investigations.