Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – The Chikato and Mawewe
families are at each other’s throats over custodianship of Zivavose High,
creating serious fissures that are having serious implications on cohesive
administration of the school.
families are at each other’s throats over custodianship of Zivavose High,
creating serious fissures that are having serious implications on cohesive
administration of the school.
Parents
have begun to complain that the school was no longer serving the interests of
pupils and parents due to endless squabbles.
have begun to complain that the school was no longer serving the interests of
pupils and parents due to endless squabbles.
The
family members are divided as to who should be recognised as the responsible
authority and they accuse each other extorting the 10 percent of the school
proceeds which the responsible authority must get.
family members are divided as to who should be recognised as the responsible
authority and they accuse each other extorting the 10 percent of the school
proceeds which the responsible authority must get.
One
of the groups, led by Alletah Chikato, claims that Phanuel Fana Chikato, who is
the Archbishop of a breakaway church called St Engnas ZCC Rugare, is side-lining
other family members.
of the groups, led by Alletah Chikato, claims that Phanuel Fana Chikato, who is
the Archbishop of a breakaway church called St Engnas ZCC Rugare, is side-lining
other family members.
Alletah,
who took over from Maxwell Mawewe as education secretary, and her group is
alleged to have tried to close down the school a few weeks ago in a bid to
force the head to recognise them as the responsible authority and Chikato as
the education secretary.
who took over from Maxwell Mawewe as education secretary, and her group is
alleged to have tried to close down the school a few weeks ago in a bid to
force the head to recognise them as the responsible authority and Chikato as
the education secretary.
Zaka
District Schools Inspector (DSI) Samson Chidzurira confirmed the troubles at
the school but was quick to say they had no power to interfere.
District Schools Inspector (DSI) Samson Chidzurira confirmed the troubles at
the school but was quick to say they had no power to interfere.
Provincial
Education Director (PED) Zadius Chitiga said the families should come together
and resolve their differences then appoint an inclusive responsible authority
board which they will present to the ministry.
Education Director (PED) Zadius Chitiga said the families should come together
and resolve their differences then appoint an inclusive responsible authority
board which they will present to the ministry.
“The families are disturbing the smooth running of the school. They should sit down
and unite, form the responsible authority board which will then be presented to
the ministry and we will work with that,” said Chitiga.
and unite, form the responsible authority board which will then be presented to
the ministry and we will work with that,” said Chitiga.
Other
disgruntled family members accused Phanuel of fraudulently annexing the school
using an illegitimate responsible authority board formed a few years ago under
his church which was formed as recently as 2014.
disgruntled family members accused Phanuel of fraudulently annexing the school
using an illegitimate responsible authority board formed a few years ago under
his church which was formed as recently as 2014.
“Initially
the school was not under the ZCC. It was only named under ZCC for smooth registration
as the then colonial government did not approve blacks to own schools. However,
Fana formed and registered his school under the new name in 2014 after the
death of his father and forged documents and claimed that the school is under
his church,” one family member said
the school was not under the ZCC. It was only named under ZCC for smooth registration
as the then colonial government did not approve blacks to own schools. However,
Fana formed and registered his school under the new name in 2014 after the
death of his father and forged documents and claimed that the school is under
his church,” one family member said
She
said building of the school began in the 1970s but it opened in 1982, adding
that the church and the school were two different entities.
said building of the school began in the 1970s but it opened in 1982, adding
that the church and the school were two different entities.
“Fana
is forcing himself onto the school under the guise of the church thereby
depriving the rest of the family board members their inheritance rights of
ownership,” she said.
is forcing himself onto the school under the guise of the church thereby
depriving the rest of the family board members their inheritance rights of
ownership,” she said.
When
contacted for comment Phanuel dismissed all allegations against him, saying he
was not getting any financial benefit from his role.
contacted for comment Phanuel dismissed all allegations against him, saying he
was not getting any financial benefit from his role.
“It’s
all lies. I am not getting any money from the school though it belongs to my
church. My father was the responsible authority before he died and now that I am
in charge of the church meaning the church I lead is the responsible authority.
The matter is before the courts and I will wait for the outcome,” he said.
all lies. I am not getting any money from the school though it belongs to my
church. My father was the responsible authority before he died and now that I am
in charge of the church meaning the church I lead is the responsible authority.
The matter is before the courts and I will wait for the outcome,” he said.
