By Beverly Bizeki
Parents at Riverton Academy Murinye have expressed satisfaction with their children’s academic progress following a consultation meeting held at the school recently.
The consultation day over the weekend came weeks after a dispute that briefly disrupted the opening of the first term in January when Chief Murinye, born Ephias Munodawafa, blocked parents and learners from accessing the school over differences with the institution’s owner, Philimon Mutangiri.
The situation was later resolved after the High Court in Masvingo granted an interdict allowing the school to continue operating smoothly.
Parents who spoke to TellZim News during the consultation day said they were impressed with both the academic progress of their children and the stability that has since returned to the school.
“I am excited about my child’s progress since she enrolled here. There is a huge difference in her performance across all subjects compared to when she first came. I am also happy that everything is now normal at the school with no disruptions,” said one parent.
Another parent, who was among those initially blocked by Chief Murinye when attempting to drop off his child on opening day, said he was relieved that the learning environment had stabilised.
“I thought I was going to face the same challenges as last time, but everything is running smoothly. The environment is normal and conducive for learning. I am happy that the differences were resolved and the school is now operating without disturbances,” he said.
An education official who spoke to TellZim News on condition of anonymity said authorities were closely monitoring the situation to ensure that learners’ education is not affected.
“Our priority is to ensure that learners continue with their education without interruptions. We are encouraged that normal learning is taking place and that parents are engaging with the school through consultations,” said the official.
The conflict began at the start of the term when Chief Murinye reportedly blocked the road leading to the newly established school, preventing parents from transporting their children. The traditional leader reportedly claimed he had not authorised the construction of the institution.
Mutangiri, however, maintained that he had obtained all the necessary documentation for the construction of the school, which he said was built on his ancestral land.
The matter was taken to the High Court in Masvingo through an urgent chamber application filed by Mutangiri against Chief Murinye.
In court papers, Mutangiri alleged that the chief had blocked parents from taking their children to school and threatened to disrupt learning by preventing pupils from attending lessons, accusing him of taking the law into his own hands.
In his ruling delivered on February 3, 2026, Justice Zisengwe found that Mutangiri had established sufficient grounds for interim relief, noting that continued interference posed a serious risk to learners’ right to education.
