Zanu-PF women's league hounds school head

Zanu-PF Women's League members in Chirumhanzu Ward 10 recently led a community protest aimed at removing Tonias Mushayi, the head of Chengwena Secondary School, over allegations of misconduct, including assaulting students and insulting parents. The protest, which involved traditional drumming and singing, was held to signal the community's desire to have Mushayi removed from his position.

Sources close to the incident told TellZim News that the protest occurred in November when a group of women from the Zanu-PF Women's League marched to the school to express their dissatisfaction with Mushayi's behavior. The protest, characterized by singing and the beating of drums, was intended to demonstrate that Mushayi was no longer welcome in the community.

However, Mushayi has denied the allegations, insisting that he has not been expelled from his position and that the Women's League does not have the authority to remove him. "I have not been expelled from work by the Women's League, they are not my employers. These are just fabrications. Leave that issue altogether," he said in an interview, adding that the police had intervened during the protest. He further referred reporters to three Hama Police Station officers who were present during the demonstration.

In response, Gladys Chivige, the Zanu-PF Women's League district chairperson, confirmed the protest and explained that the league had decided to take action due to ongoing complaints from parents about Mushayi's behavior. She revealed that numerous parents had raised concerns over his treatment of both students and their families, but the School Development Committee (SDC) had failed to take action.

"We received numerous complaints from parents who were disgruntled by Mushayi's behaviour. The SDC remained mum on the issue but parents continued to voice their concerns. We decided to assist them as our role allows us to help those in need, especially individuals under the age of 18," Chivige said.

Chivige expressed frustration that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) had not acted quickly enough, saying that the league took it upon themselves to intervene as the ministry's procedures could be slow. "As Women's League, we thought the District Education Offices would follow proper procedures to remove Mushayi, and we felt this would take long. Our wish is for him to leave the school; we do not want to interfere with his job, but we no longer need him in our community," she added.

Allegations against Mushayi include physical altercations with students, verbal abuse towards parents, and inappropriate behavior toward schoolchildren. "We have heard that sometimes Mushayi fights with learners using stones and disrespects parents. Some learners and parents no longer feel welcome at the school due to his actions. He is also causing problems as he is said to be in a habit of making inappropriate advances towards school children," Chivige explained.

Local authorities, including Chirumhanzu Rural District Council Vice Chairperson Cyprian Chiuta, have also confirmed reports of abuse by Mushayi. Chiuta described a pattern of disrespect and abusive behavior towards parents and students, which recently culminated in a court case at the Mvuma Magistrate's Court, where several parents and members of the SDC were arrested following a dispute with Mushayi.

On International Women's Day, Mushayi allegedly expelled a group of Zanu-PF Women's League members who had visited his office, further fueling tension between him and the local community. "He insulted me during a phone call after parents ordered him to leave the school. He also had a fight with three learners from his school, and the matter ended up at Mvuma Magistrate's Court," Chiuta added.

Chengwena SDC Chairperson, Chinyama, also confirmed the allegations of verbal abuse, stating that Mushayi regularly insulted both parents and students. "Mushayi is in a habit of insulting both parents and learners. He even goes to the extent of following parents where they will be working to ask for school fees," said Chinyama.

Despite the ongoing protests and calls for his removal, Mvuma District Schools Inspector Jacob Majoni referred questions regarding the incident to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, whose spokesperson has yet to comment.

The situation at Chengwena Secondary School highlights ongoing tensions between local authorities, parents, and school staff, raising questions about accountability and the role of community leaders in addressing misconduct within educational institutions.