Gokwe chief leads in school debt collection

The dusty roads leading to Gokwe tell a story of deepening hardship and resilience, as villagers under Chief Misheck Njelele grapple with economic insecurity, dwindling resources and struggling schools weighed down by unpaid fees.

Tensions have risen sharply following the seizure of cattle from parents over outstanding school fees, a move that has sparked outrage and heated debate within the community. The controversy intensified after an audio recording circulated on social media, alleging that aides to Chief Njelele were involved in collecting cattle as part of a school debt recovery drive.

In the leaked audio, several villagers accused school authorities of using heavy-handed methods to recover fees, claiming that parents were being subjected to intimidation and humiliation. One woman, her voice trembling, alleged that debt collectors summoned parents to Chief Njelele's court, handcuffed them and confiscated cattle without proper clearance.

"The debt collection method is harsh. They take cattle without authority. Is this professional?" she said, adding that parents were suffering in silence. Another villager complained that the debt collectors were physically intimidating and impossible to challenge, claiming that cattle were taken and handed over to the chief.

The villagers appealed for intervention, saying they were losing their most valuable assets while struggling to survive. Some women alleged that confiscated cattle were later sold to middlemen, while others questioned why uniformed police officers were not involved in the process.

"We are forced to pay US$75 per child who owes fees to the chief. Is this the rule of law?" one voice in the audio asked, arguing that parents were not refusing to pay fees but were simply overwhelmed by poverty and large families.

This week, Chief Njelele broke his silence, defending his actions and insisting he was acting in the best interests of schools within his jurisdiction, which he said were owed substantial amounts in unpaid fees. He cited Mapfumo Primary School, established in 1956 and enrolling about 1 200 pupils, which he said is owed more than US$65 000.

"How can a school develop if parents don't pay?" he asked, stressing that he was exercising his authority to protect education standards in the community.

Chief Njelele denied allegations of abuse, intimidation or personal gain, saying claims circulating on social media had been exaggerated. He said the matter was being handled by the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Gokwe and dismissed accusations that cattle were being sold illegally.

"I haven't received a single cent from school fees debt collection," he said. "No cattle were paid through my traditional court. Four parents had cattle taken, but three later paid in cash and got their animals back. One paid with a beast and received the other back."

The traditional leader, however, criticised parents for what he described as a lack of responsibility, accusing some of failing to pay school fees for their children from Grade One to Grade Seven and transferring pupils between schools to evade debts.

"I have an order from the Ministry of Education that schools must not withhold results but engage parents through debt collectors," he said, adding that several schools are close to his homestead and he understands their challenges.

Chief Njelele suggested that some of the complaints were driven by hidden agendas aimed at tarnishing his image, insisting that his actions were rooted in community development and even efforts to curb drug and substance abuse.

"I am ready to put my head on the block for community development," he said, vowing that he would not be deterred by criticism. He added that he planned to invite national media for a public tour during future debt recovery exercises to ensure transparency.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said police had not received any formal reports relating to the alleged mishandling of cattle in Gokwe.

"As police, we don't have such cases on record. If reports are made, investigations will be carried out without fear or favour," he said.

The unfolding Gokwe school fees dispute reflects a broader national crisis, where schools are battling mounting arrears as parents struggle to pay fees, while government delays in disbursing funds under the Basic Education Assistance Module continue to compound the problem.