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Parents demand headmistress’ ouster

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OVER 90 villagers from Makuzeze village in Mangwe district led by their headman Peter Mpofu and Makuzeze Primary School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson Simanga Sibanda on Tuesday stormed the institution demanding the transfer of the acting headmistress whom they accused of maladministration.

OVER 90 villagers from Makuzeze village in Mangwe district led by their headman Peter Mpofu and Makuzeze Primary School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson Simanga Sibanda on Tuesday stormed the institution demanding the transfer of the acting headmistress whom they accused of maladministration.

Report by Pamela Mhlanga Own correspondent

The villagers, supported by the Mthwakazi Youth Leaders Joint Resolution, said they were not happy with the way the school was being run in particular the transfer of three teachers for allegedly “undermining the authority” of the acting headmistress, Victoria Pasipanodya.

The demonstrators picketed the school on the opening day demanding keys to the school’s administration block and immediate transfer of Pasipanodya, her husband Munyaradzi, who is a teacher at the school, and deputy headmaster Robson Gotosa.

The villagers claimed they were angered by Pasipanodya’s refusal to address them.

“You have shown us that you are rude after what you did earlier in the morning,” a villager, Themba Mvundla, shouted.

“You should not have done that as you have angered us more as parents. So we ask that you peacefully hand over the keys to us.”

In response, Pasipanodya, who was on the verge of breaking down in tears, said it would be improper for her to address them without clearance from the district education officer, Headman Mpofu.

Her colleague Gotosa curtly said if the parents had made their decision to have them removed from the school , “so be it”, further inviting the parents’ wrath.

Another parent, Leonard Nkomo, expressed disappointment at the behaviour of the headmistress and her deputy. “This is totally rude and unacceptable.

“The headmistress and her counterparts have revealed that they are rude and refuse to listen to our counsel as parents.

“We have taken a decision as parents that enough is enough,” said Leonard Nkomo, a parent.

“Pasipanodya sent away three teachers without informing us and now that we ask them to tell us what their problem is, they disrespect us.

“We want them out as we are fed up.”

Tempers only subsided after Pasipanodya complied and handed over the office keys, documents and cash to the SDC members.

Efforts to get a comment from Mpofu yesterday were fruitless as he was said to be attending a meeting in Gwanda.