The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has launched a full-scale investigation into the controversial acquisition of a school bus at Chibuwe Primary School, following rising allegations of flouted procurement procedures, financial irregularities, and strained relations between parents and school authorities. The probe comes after angry parents staged demonstrations at the school last week, demanding accountability and calling for the immediate removal of the headmaster, Mr. Damiso, whom they accuse of presiding over questionable transactions.
The school reportedly purchased the bus earlier this year for US$220 000 using funds contributed by parents over a two-year period. However, the manner in which the bus was procured has sparked outrage. Parents allege that the transaction was not subjected to the legally required tender process and that the price may have been grossly inflated. They further accuse the school leadership of withholding crucial information related to the purchase, fuelling suspicions of underhand dealings.
In the wake of the protests, Mr. Damiso has been placed on forced leave to allow for an unfettered investigation. When contacted for comment, he declined to discuss the matter, saying only: “As you know, I am not allowed to speak to the Press.”
Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr. Richard Gabaza, confirmed that the ministry has moved decisively to address the matter, deploying multiple government departments to restore calm and initiate inquiries into both financial and administrative concerns at the school.
“The ministry went to the ground and managed to calm the situation because it had gone out of hand,” Mr. Gabaza said. “Peace and order was restored last Friday, and normalcy is now prevailing at the school. Parents had withdrawn learners from the classrooms, so we employed the Whole-of-Government Approach where several government departments engaged the parents.”
He said authorities held a meeting with the community, during which parents expressed deep mistrust of the school administration and recommended the transfer of the headmaster, citing “bad blood” between him and the community. While insisting that Mr. Damiso was not formally suspended, Mr. Gabaza said it had been agreed that the headmaster would take leave while investigations proceed.
According to Mr. Gabaza, the probe will focus not only on the purchase of the bus but also on how it has been hired out since its arrival and the handling of revenue generated from such hires. “This issue emanates from the bus—how it was purchased, its hiring, and the funds received through hiring. Parents want accountability, which they claim is lacking. There is no longer trust, confidence, and transparency,” he said.
The ministry is deploying auditors next week to carry out an investigative audit, while the district office will send its own team to look into non-financial matters. “It will be a full-scale investigation,” Mr. Gabaza emphasised.
Parents Demand Action Amid School Bus Uproar
For many parents, the bus controversy is only one part of a broader complaint about deteriorating standards at the school. They argue that despite paying numerous levies—including the “local school” examination fee of US$1 per learner—little effort is being made to maintain infrastructure or provide essential learning materials. Some allege that the exam fees are not being receipted, raising further questions about financial accountability.
A member of the School Development Committee (SDC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the school’s financial management as opaque and contested. “The demonstration by the parents was caused by the purchase of the school bus. The bus arrived five months ago, but there was no official handover. It has already been hired out more than 10 times, including trips to Gokwe and Mbungo in Masvingo, yet there is no accountability on how much is being charged and where the money is going,” the SDC member claimed.
He added that classrooms remain poorly furnished and under-resourced, despite significant funds being channelled into the bus project. “School fees are now being diverted into the bus fund, yet classrooms have no benches and textbooks,” he said.
According to the SDC member, attempts by parents and committee members to review the paperwork related to the bus purchase were rebuffed by the headmaster, reinforcing concerns about possible misconduct. “The bus, we heard, was bought for US$220 000 without going to tender. Only one supplier was chosen. When we asked for the purchase documents, the headmaster adamantly refused,” he said.
As the investigation unfolds, parents and community members are calling for transparency, accountability, and a leadership reset at Chibuwe Primary School. The Ministry has pledged to deliver a comprehensive report once all audits and inquiries are completed, a move expected to determine the future of both the headmaster and the school’s financial systems.
Source- Herald
