'Chiredzi Council schools' heads getting away with murder

Chiredzi Rural District councillors have complained that many heads at council-run schools were abusing funds and the crime was on the increase because cases were being swept under the carpet by the parent ministry.

Debating at a full council meeting two weeks ago, the councillors said there was rampant abuse of funds at council-run schools but the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education was not taking any action because some of the heads were related to people at the top.

Council vice chairman Maxuba Mazara led the discussion.

"It has come to our attention that there is rampant abuse of funds in schools by heads and the crime is getting worse because responsible authority is not taking action," said Mazara.

The councillors mentioned two cases where no action has been taken against accused school heads.

The councillors also said some parents have since stopped paying fees in protest against the frauds.

Chiredzi District Administrator, Clara Muzenda who attended the meeting advised the councillors to gather evidence and present it.

She asked the councillors to allow the new District Schools' Inspector to settle down and then present their issues.

"The matter is going to be addressed as soon as the new District School Inspector (DSI) has settled down. In the meantime gather evidence for your cases so that it becomes easy to discipline the culprits," said Muzenda.