Hamilton headmaster in soup over breach of contract

Hamilton High School in Bulawayo is embroiled in a legal dispute after Vanguard Security, a private security company, sued the school for over US$12,000 following the alleged unlawful termination of its contract.

The conflict escalated after headmaster Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu and the School Development Committee (SDC) reportedly terminated the security services agreement without lawful justification. Vanguard Security subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking US$12,800 in damages, and the court granted a default judgment after the school failed to respond.

Following the judgment, Vanguard Security moved to enforce the court order through the Bulawayo Messenger of Court. On January 13, 2026, a writ of execution was served on AFC Bank, where the school holds its accounts, and US$13,996.85—including Messenger of Court fees—was recorded as attached.

However, a week later, AFC Bank wrote to the Messenger of Court claiming that the school's account lacked sufficient funds, contradicting the earlier attachment acknowledgment. Under Magistrates' Court rules, such a situation requires the Messenger of Court to issue a nulla bona return of service, formally indicating no attachable property. No such return was filed, raising questions about whether the school's account truly lacked funds or if there were errors in the execution process.

In response, Vanguard Security has filed a criminal complaint, citing suspected collusion between the school and the bank. Investigations are ongoing at Bulawayo Central Police under CR 33/02/2026.

Efforts to obtain a comment from headmaster Ndlovu were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to inquiries by the time of publication. The outcome of the police investigation and any potential legal consequences for the school remain pending.