Headmaster suspended for verbal and sexual harassment

A Tahangana High School headmaster in Mangwe district who was recently transferred from another school in the same district for tormenting teachers, has been suspended for three months as government investigates allegations of misconduct being levelled against him.

Norman Muvimi is facing charges of examination maladministration, absenteeism, causing commotion at the school, verbal abuse and sexual harassment.

Female teachers at the school said he sexually harassed them as he was in the habit of insulting them by mentioning their private parts in front of pupils and parents.

Mangwe District Education Officer, Headman Mpofu, confirmed Muvimi's suspension with effect from Friday last week.

He said the Ministry was in the process of investigating the charges against the headmaster.

"I can confirm that Muvimi has been suspended as he is facing a number of charges. In the meantime a temporary administrative team will be put in place to manage the school.

"We're in the process of investigating the charges being levelled against against Muvimi.

The results of the investigation will determine the next step in this matter," said Mpofu.

According to a suspension letter which was issued to Muvimi, he has been suspended without pay from January 15 to April 16.

"Following a report alleging misconduct on your part a charge of misconduct has been preferred against you. The charge is based on allegations that on 22 October 2015 at around 12pm in your office you verbally abused, sexually harassed and threatened Pretty Nkomo, the school clerk, accusing her of disrespect and verbally attacking her family and husband.

"On 3 August, 10 August, 10 September and 6 October you verbally abused Sibongile Ncube who is a member of staff at your school. On 2 October you wrote a threatening letter to Anele Sibanda who was the deputy headboy following disturbances at the school by pupils on 16 July," read the suspension letter.

The document further stated that Muvimi during his term of office failed to acquit cash withdrawals as he made purchases that were not supported by receipts or invoices.

The anomalies were revealed in an audit report for the period March 17 to November 2 last year.

"On 20 August Muvimi was given $60 for the purchase of a toner cartridge but he didn't produce a receipt to ascertain the cost. On 26 September Muvimi withdrew $575 from the school bank account and payment vouchers show that only $520 was used for school business," reads the suspension letter.

Other allegations listed on the document issued to Muvimi state that he was undermining the SDC and community leadership by making decisions unilaterally.

He is also being accused of causing "frictional work relations" in the school which resulted in pupils demonstrating. Muvimi is also facing allegations of unfairly dismissing non-teaching staff.

The document also states that during an inspection, Muvimi was unofficially absent from work for 13 days during the third term.

"As a result of the allegations against you, you shall keep the Head of Department, Head of Ministry and Head of Commission informed of the address where you maybe contacted during your suspension period.

"You're not entitled to a salary during the duration of the suspension. You will not attend to your place of work or carry out any duties," reads the suspension letter.

Muvimi joined Tahangana High School at the beginning of the second term last year after he was moved from Mambale High School following complaints from the staff there.

He had allegedly composed 44 jingles which he forced teachers and pupils to recite each day as a way of improving the school's pass rates.

He allegedly ordered everyone to memorise and recite his "motivational" songs.

One of the jingles was: "Fly, fly, fly little bird! Hip, hip, hip rabbit! Spell it yeah, spell it yeah! Bird with a b, Rabbit with double b! Spell it yeah, spell it yeah! Bird with b yeah, rabbit with double b yeah!"

Teachers at his old and new school all reported that he insulted them in front of parents and pupils.

A group of pupils from the school last year held a demonstration against him alleging that they were missing lessons while the headmaster was holding meetings with teachers.