Queen Elizabeth School Under Govt Investigation For Forcing Parents To Buy Uniforms & Textbooks From 2 Suppliers

Govt Launches Investigation Into Queen Elizabeth School Over Uniform And Book Sales

Queen Elizabeth School in Harare is under official investigation following allegations that it forced parents to buy uniforms and textbooks only from its chosen suppliers as a condition for enrolment.

According to the Herald, the Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) has initiated an investigation under the Competition Act in response to complaints from parents and guardians.

Allegations Against The School

In a Government Gazette notice published on 26 September 2025, the Commission revealed that Queen Elizabeth School allegedly entered into exclusive dealings with two suppliers. These are Giplic Fashions, owned by Scott Adams, for uniforms, and Gramsol Publishing for textbooks.

The notice stated:

“It is alleged that Queen Elizabeth School engaged in exclusive dealing in the production, selling, distribution of school uniforms and textbooks to prospective Form One and Form Five learners during enrolment.”

The Commission said it had preliminary concerns that such arrangements restricted competition, disadvantaged parents, and unfairly benefited a select few suppliers.

Parents Voice Concerns

Parents have long raised grievances about the practice, with some saying they were tailors capable of producing better uniforms at cheaper prices. Others alleged that the suppliers provided inferior quality products at inflated costs.

The notice added:

“It is further alleged that before confirmation of admission, one should purchase uniforms or textbooks from the school, or the preferred suppliers. The Commission has preliminary concerns that the alleged practice may result in parents and learners’ choices of school uniform or textbook suppliers being limited.”

The Commission said this could lead to exploitation of parents, some of whom are struggling financially, with costs running into hundreds of US dollars (about R1 800).

Commission Calls For Submissions

The CTC stressed that the launch of an investigation does not mean the school or the named suppliers have already breached the law. Instead, it is to establish facts.

The notice declared:

“The Commission will, as provided in section 28 of the Act, conduct an investigation to establish whether the alleged practices directly or indirectly restrict competition. In view of the foregoing, the Commission hereby gives notice to all interested stakeholders and the general public to submit their written representations.”

Stakeholders have 14 days from the notice publication to send representations. Submissions can be emailed to the CTC or delivered in hard copy to its offices at Broadlands Road, Emerald Hill, Harare.

The Commission emphasised that all responses would remain confidential and only be used for the purpose of the investigation.