MP slammed over abuse of school heads

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou has issued a scathing statement accusing Mberengwa Central legislator Tinashe "Goga" Shumba of politically manipulating school heads for personal and partisan gain.

Zhou said political interference in the education sector had severely damaged schools in Mberengwa, where infrastructure has deteriorated and learning standards have fallen. He lamented that instead of addressing these pressing challenges, some politicians were exploiting education officials for political expediency.

"Under these circumstances, it is sad that instead of building a credible education system and MPs clamouring for better pay for teachers and equalisation funds for schools with atrocious infrastructure, Mberengwa Central MP Shumba has prioritised capturing school heads for political expediency," Zhou said.

His comments follow a circular allegedly sent by Shumba inviting school heads to a meeting at Goga Complex on November 1, 2025. The letter read: "All Heads of Schools are invited to attend a meeting on 1 Nov 2025 at the new hall at Goga complex."

According to Zhou, the meeting had no official agenda, describing it as a "sadza-and-drink gathering" with hidden political motives.

"Have school heads sunk so low that an MP must invite them to spend money from school coffers in order to eat sadza and get a drink?" he asked. "It is noteworthy that the invitation has no locus standi and is not in line with the roles of an MP."

Zhou reminded MPs of their constitutional duties, which include legislating, representing constituents, overseeing government spending, and holding the executive accountable. "In what manner is Hon Tinashe Goga Shumba's meeting in line with his parliamentary roles? If it does not have any link except political expediency, it is tantamount to abuse of school heads and public office," he said.

He further linked the meeting to another planned event - the Trs4ED capacitation workshop - allegedly organised by Shumba's associates and scheduled for November 20–23 in Mberengwa. The workshop reportedly requires participants, including School Development Committees (SDCs), to pay a US$25 registration fee.

Zhou said the November 1 meeting appeared to be a prelude to coercing school heads into misusing school funds to sponsor teachers' attendance at the workshop.

"When an MP sinks so low as to arm-twist school heads to fleece schools and pay money for an independent gathering that has nothing to do with improving pass rates at schools in Mberengwa, then it is clear that representation has run stark mad," he said.

Zhou blasted the alleged exploitation of educators, saying it was both unethical and counterproductive. "We can't use a plate of sadza and drink to fleece schools of the resources needed to improve quality public education. How a poorly paid teacher can be empowered by attending a workshop that fleeces him or her remains baffling and outstripping common sense," he said.

The PTUZ leader called on education authorities and Parliament to investigate the alleged abuse of school funds and protect school heads from political coercion.