Government has said it will soon dispatch a probe team to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration at Plumtree High School following reports the school had accumulated debts of over $75 000 to the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa).
Parents recently clashed with Plumtree High School authorities over suspected mismanagement of funds, leading to the huge debts.
Irate parents last month allegedly confronted the headmaster Prince Mange and School Development Association chairperson Elson Shava after Zinwa cut off water supplies to the school over a $15 000 debt.
Mange and Shava declined to comment over the allegations, saying they were not at liberty to talk to the press. They referred NewsDay to the ministry for all details.
Acting provincial deputy director for secondary schools Francis Changwesha confirmed the ministry received the complaints from concerned parents.
“I confirm there was such a complaint from parents concerning the school. The person who sent the complaint was initially dealing with Minister David Coltart. The issue is being investigated and a team of investigators will be sent to the school,” said Changwesha.
“Water was disconnected for seven months over the debt. We engaged the Minister Coltart who intervened leading to the reconnection of water,” said an irate parent.
“We nearly beat up the SDC chairman over the issue and on October 8 we wanted to beat the headmaster over the crisis,” she said.
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Coltart on Friday confirmed receiving the complaints from some parents.
“I have asked the provincial education director for Matabeleland South, Tumisang Thabela, to investigate the matter and am still awaiting her report. I have asked that the matter be dealt with urgently,” said Coltart.
The school has an enrolment of about 350 pupils who pay a levy of $485 and $160 tuition fees each.
