300 Hwedza Students Caught In The Crossfire Of A Marital Dispute

300 Hwedza schools students have been caught in the crossfire of a marital dispute among the school’s owners.

The severe conflict between former business and romantic partners is jeopardising the academic future of over 300 students at Elizzy and Dyllan Primary and Secondary Schools in Hwedza. What began as a private dispute has escalated into a full-blown community crisis, merging legal, ethical, and social justice concerns.

Court Orders School To Stop Operations

The Marondera Magistrate’s Court has issued a critical interdict, effectively suspending all operations at the school premises located on Bita Farm. This legal order, granted by Magistrate Tamara Chibindi, remains in place pending the final outcome of a High Court eviction lawsuit (HCH 1862/25), scheduled for a hearing on September 11. This ruling has forced the immediate closure of the institution, leaving learners in limbo.

Alarmed parents, educators, and community stakeholders have submitted a formal petition to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. They are urgently requesting government action to reclaim the school premises and resume classes, arguing that the dispute constitutes a direct assault on the children’s constitutional right to a stable education. The school was a point of local pride, having recorded one of the highest O-Level pass rates in the district and achieving recent zonal championships in athletics.

Allegations of Gender Bias and Corruption

The conflict is deeply mired in serious allegations of gender discrimination and corrupt traditional practices. Founder Janet Dapi claims her male counterpart, Watson Mirio Magwenzi, leveraged political connections and familial ties to local leadership, including Headman Munzverengi, alleged to be his cousin, to seize control of the land lease unlawfully. Dapi has publicly accused the Headman of demanding a bribe, including a house in Harare, for his support and of making misogynistic remarks, stating she “would not win against them as a woman.”