Kennedy Murwira
Parents at Mutero High School in Gutu have called for the transfer of current school headmaster, Severino Shiri, alleging that he was running the school down and was involved in shady deals with suppliers.
Parents who talked to this reporter on condition of anonymity fearing that that their children will be victimised at school said it was apparent that the headmaster was lining his own pockets at the expense of developing the school. They cited a situation where one hardware shop at Gutu Mpandawana supplied the school with bakery products and confectionery, transported to the school by a public passenger carrying vehicle. The owner of the shop, Mr Dzinoreva, also won the tender to construct tow ten-roomed semi-detached houses for four families at the school. However, Mr Dzinoreva sub-contracted the tender to an unknown contractor who receives payment for the locally recruited labour direct from the school. The same Dzinoreva sold a Brahman bull, at a cost of $2 000 the school when the mission celebrated its Golden Jubilee last year. The bull was presented as a present to the Masvingo Catholic Diocese head, Bishop Michael Bhasera at the occasion, leading to speculation that the headmaster was attempting to silence the responsible authorities. The school ordinarily buys local livestock for the consumption of the student population which numbers more that 800. Mr Shiri is a member of the composer’s team in the diocese.
The parents complained that while the school already possessed a bus a bus levy had been introduced for a bus which the headmaster said had already been deposited for. They queries why a deposit was made before sufficient funds had been raised saying in 2010 a furniture levy was introduced. The furniture that was bought had quickly broken down and they believe it was sub-standard.
Two years ago, an unknown company was contracted to drill a borehole at the school to augment water supplies. The borehole has since been vandalised while it never pumped even a liter of water into the school’s reservoir. The borehole, which is supposed to be run by a windmill, has since become derelict and a memento while it cost the school $12 000.
While he was presented with a set of written questions by this reporter Mr Shiri declined to comment only saying tenders were awarded to the best bids. He, however, did not say what was involved in the tender procedure.Local
