Jane Mlambo| Parents and local community in Chibuwe, Chipinge have written to government raising concern over wanton corruption at their local Chibuwe High School, ZimEye can exclusively reveal.
The corruption scandal sucks area Councillor Charles Mugidho, school deputy head one Mr Chitombo and a senior teacher at the school Dakarayi Dhliwayo who are all alleged to be flouting education rules.
In a letter to the Permanent Secretary, Chibuwe community said the school had turned into a political institution and business forum for opportunists who are milking resources, in a scandal that also sucked in area councillor Charles Mugidho.
“We write this letter to draw your attention, as the relevant authority, and to seek remedy for a culture of corruption that has taken root at Chibuwe High School.
“On the 9th of February 2019, during elections for the SDC, deputy head Chitombo, Senior teacher Dakarai Dhliwayo and Councillor Mugidho connived to rig the AGM which ended at 20:40 pm,” reads part of the letter in possession of ZimEye.
The disgruntled parents said the school head had connived with the councillor to allow parents without children at the school and unemployed school leavers to seat in the AGM while they were also instructed to vote for the School Development Committee.
“They gave accreditation cards to parents who don’t have kids at the school, to unemployed school leavers who were paid to vote for specific candidates. When the Acting School head noticed the scam and tried intervene, he was overpowered by the Acting deputy head, Senior teacher and and the Councillor,” further noted the disgruntled parents.
“The Councillor was very active at the school entrance to make sure their political party members got through for them to vote.
“No verification was done to make sure that only parents and guardians with students at the school were given a chance to vote. Even cattle herders with no children at the school were allowed to vote.
“The Acting head tried to explain the provisions of the SDC statutory instrument of 1992, but was over-ruled by the Councillor and his political grouping.
“Clr Mugidho allowed Themba Gatura to stand and get elected as Chairman of the SDC, yet he owes the school more than $1 500 dollars in fees “errors” on his part,” further reads the letter.
The winning SDC chairperson, Gatura is alleged to have won the contract to paint the exterior walls of a classroom block without following tender procedures as required.
This was after the deputy head, Chitombo unilaterally approved a budget a budget of $5000,00 dollars.
The disgruntled parents further highlighted that the was being run by politicians who receive their orders from out side Ministry of Education amid allegations that following their electoral victory, the winning SDC members sang and danced to political songs at the school, and by chanting political slogans in celebration.