Masvingo Chief Blocks Road To Private School Stranding Students on First Day Demanding Lifetime Free Education For His Family

Masvingo Chief Blocks Road To Private School, Demands Lifetime Free Schooling

A powerful traditional leader in Masvingo brought the first day of the new school term to a chaotic halt by using his official vehicle to blockade a private school’s access road. The action on Sunday morning was reportedly taken to enforce a demand for a lifetime of free education for his children.

Chief Murinye, identified as Ephias Munodawafa, parked his unplated, government-issued Isuzu across the road to Riverton Academy Extension. This caused kilometre-long traffic queues, stranding students and parents attempting to start the new academic year.

The standoff required police intervention before the chief removed his vehicle, allowing access to the school. According to a report by ZimLive, the blockade was the culmination of a dispute between the chief and the school’s owner, Philimon Mutangiri.

School Owner Alleges Extortion Over Fees

In his account of events, school owner Philimon Mutangiri has accused the chief of making escalating demands. He states that after the school opened, Chief Murinye insisted that it sign a formal contract guaranteeing all his children could attend the institution without paying any fees, now or in the future—a demand for lifetime free schooling.

This was not the first significant demand Mutangiri claims to have received. He alleges the chief had previously required the school to facilitate a connection of electricity to his homestead. Mutangiri states he complied with that initial request by personally purchasing and supplying a transformer, valued at approximately US$7,000 (approx. ZAR 126,000).

The school’s refusal to grant the subsequent demand for a lifetime fee waiver is cited as the direct trigger for the chief’s decision to block the road and prevent the school from opening for the term.

A History of Controversial Confrontations

This is not the first time Chief Murinye has been at the centre of a major public disturbance. In 2023, he was involved in a contentious incident where he attempted to stop a funeral that was already in progress in an area claimed by another chief.

The 2023 confrontation escalated, resulting in the chief fleeing the scene on foot while being pursued by villagers. More than a dozen villagers were later arrested, convicted of assault in connection with the event, and fined by the courts.

The roadblock caused significant disruption and frustration among parents and students, turning an orderly first day into one of confusion and delay. While police were able to resolve the immediate physical obstruction, the underlying conflict between the traditional authority and the private school remains. The chief’s alleged demand for perpetual free education for his family continues to be a point of contention, casting uncertainty over the school’s relationship with the local leadership for the foreseeable future.