Govt forcing Cyrene High School to close down

THE Anglican Church will close Cyrene High School and Clinic if Government does not reverse the takeover of the church's farm, a senior church official told The Sunday News.

The takeover of the farm for redistribution by Government was announced through the Government Gazette of 14 November 2014.

"Deed of Transfer 1704/87, registered in the name of the trustees in Matabeleland of the Church of Central Africa, in respect of certain piece of land situate in the district of Matobo, being Irene, measuring two thousand five hundred and forty comma eight (2 540, 8) morgen," the Gazette reads.

A senior administrator stationed at the church's Matabeleland headquarters who refused to be named revealed to Sunday News that the gazetting of the farm had unsettled officials who are trying to engage Government "before the situation becomes sour".

"We are having sleepless nights looking for answers on how we can solve the issue. With the way things are, our prestigious school (Cyrene) might be closed because there are lots of activities that are being done (at the farm) to run the school.

"We do farming and when the land no longer belongs to us, it then means we will not have any say on the farm.

"There is a possibility that people can come and settle on the small portion where we are farming. Everyone is panicking and no one knows what might happen because the land now belongs to the Government and anytime they can move in people for settlement," the administrator said.

He said the church leaders were arguing that Government does not gazette land that is owned by churches but it instead gives churches land.

Bishop Cleophas Lunga, the head of the church in Matabeleland, could not confirm that the church was contemplating the closure of Cyrene High School and Cyrene Clinic but said the acquisition of the farm "has far-reaching implications".

When pressed to specify the implications, he refused to do so.

"We are aware of the recent developments at Cyrene High School, church and clinic. The position is that the mission was gazetted on the 14th of November 2014. This creating far-reaching implications for the institution and various activities thereon.

"We believe it was an administrative error on the part of the acquiring authority as Government policy protects church property.

"We are currently engaging Government and other stakeholders and we are sure the matter will be resolved amicably," he said.

Contacted for comment, Mr Romiel Mthimkhulu, the chief lands officer for Matabeleland South Province declined to talk to this paper saying he was not authorised to do so.

"I cannot discuss land issues through newspapers. I am a mere employee and the person you can talk to is the director, permanent secretary or the Minister of Lands," said Mr Mthimkhulu.

Mrs Sophia Tsvakwi, the permanent secretary, referred questions to Minister Douglas Mombeshora who could not be reached for comment.

This development comes after the acquisition of Maleme Farm which was gazetted on the same date. Both farms are in Matobo District.

Cde Abednico Ncube, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland South, said he would only be able to comment this week.

"I cannot comment on the issue because some senior officials are looking into the case. I can only have a comment next week," he said.

Built in 1939 and named after Simon of Cyrene, who was forced to carry the cross at Jesus' crucifixion, the school was established by Canon Paterson, an Anglican priest born in Scotland.

Work on Cyrene Mission began in 1936 when John Banks donated two farms, including a large house, to the then Anglican Diocese of Southern Rhodesia.

The school chapel was declared a National Monument in 1987.