Chief Murinye takes the school fight straight to Dambudzo Mnangagwa

A chief is totally blocking a new school over some major procedural drama. Chief Murinye, born Ephias Munodawafa, has challenged the operation of Riverton Academy Murinye Extension, a private boarding school in his area. He wrote to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, arguing the facility was built without proper approval. The chief made headlines after physically preventing learners from entering, calling the school illegal and unregulated.

The school is owned by Masvingo businessman Philemon Mutangiri. Chief Murinye claims he faced intimidation from military personnel over his protest. He stated that an army commander aggressively ordered him to close his copy of the Constitution during a meeting. Mutangiri alleges the traditional leader demanded endless freebies, including lifetime free education for his children, which the chief denies.

Mutangiri also says he spent thousands to connect electricity to the chief's homestead. Chief Murinye acknowledges the power connection but states it happened before any school plans were discussed. He warns that allowing such unapproved developments normalizes corruption and undermines rural governance. Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira said the government permitted the school to operate, calling it a development initiative while encouraging formal regularization.