By Fanuel Chinowaita
Sagambe Primary School headmaster, Mr. Evans Mwaturura, has finally been transferred from the school following a long battle between parents and school authorities over allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
His removal came after persistent efforts by parents, community leaders, and education officials who demanded accountability for the alleged mismanagement of school funds.
For nearly a decade, Mwaturura and his administration were accused of running a school funds embezzlement syndicate, allegedly silencing concerned parents by reporting them to the police on fabricated disorderly conduct charges.
Two separate groups of parents were taken to the Mutasa Magistrates’ Court, but in both instances, they were acquitted.
“We fought for years to get justice for our children, and now we can finally say we have won the first battle. The headmaster is gone, but we are not stopping here,” said a concerned parent.
The breakthrough came after parents petitioned the Chief Director of Education, Mrs. Kaira, and the Provincial Education Director for Manicaland, Mr. Gabaza, requesting an urgent audit of the school’s finances.
Their petition cited abandoned projects, including a tea plantation, banana plantation, and fishery project, as evidence of gross mismanagement.
“The school was sinking due to the corrupt collaboration between Mwaturura and the District Schools Inspector (DSI), Mrs. Mlambo,” another parent alleged. “She ignored our complaints, forcing us to escalate the issue to higher authorities.”
One teacher, Mr. George Chitewo, was also reportedly victimized by the administration. He was falsely charged with disorderly conduct, but after a full trial, the Mutasa Magistrates’ Court acquitted him. Attempts to transfer him to another school were overturned in court, and his salary—illegally ceased by authorities—was reinstated by the High Court.
However, parents insist that the fight is not over. They are now demanding the removal of senior teacher Mr. Thomas Tombo, also known as Mr. Bhiriji, whom they accuse of masterminding financial misconduct at the school.
“Tombo was caught withdrawing school funds without authorization. He diverted money meant for school projects into his personal Mukuru account,” a school stakeholder revealed. “Even worse, he manipulated a local businessman into selling BEAM forms to struggling parents for USD$1 each when the program is supposed to be free.”
Investigations by education auditors sent in July 2024 reportedly confirmed these allegations, but Tombo remains at the school. Parents have also accused him of misusing school property for personal benefit, illegally operating a private school, and even using the police to intimidate parents during meetings.
“At one meeting, armed police officers from Ruda Police Station assaulted parents and teachers to suppress our voices. Luckily, the station’s senior officers later saw through the deception and stopped interfering in our school matters,” a community leader stated.
Additionally, Tombo has been accused of serious moral misconduct, including having an affair with a married woman that resulted in a child, and allegedly preying on female pupils. Parents claim that a Grade 5 girl was a victim of his inappropriate advances but was denied justice due to Tombo’s connections.
“As long as Tombo remains at Sagambe Primary School, we will not pay fees. We want a corruption-free school where our children can learn safely,” declared a parent representative.
With an Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for February 26, 2025, parents have issued a strong ultimatum to the DSI: “Tombo must go!”