Education Division Manager for Central West Joseph Nkhata has confirmed the closure of Mayani Secondary School following violent demostrations by students who demanded release of their male friend who was arrested after being caught in s3xual act with female student.

Nkhata said the students have damaged several school’s property and caused damage to their classrooms, hostels, laboratory, library and other areas.

He added that the students also damaged two police cells and 52 students have been arrested.

Police arrested a form 3 student aged 19 for allegedly defiling his classmate aged 16, a development that angered the students.

They demanded the student to be released saying that the two had consensual sex.