Tinotenda Hove – Chief Murinye has escalated a dispute over the operation of Riverton Academy Murinye Extension, writing to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to protest what he describes as the establishment of a private boarding school without proper authority in his Masvingo jurisdiction.

The traditional leader, born Ephias Munodawafa, drew national attention over the weekend after he physically stopped pupils from entering the school premises, insisting that the institution has not been officially regularised.

“I have written to the president of the Chiefs Council and copied the President and other relevant officials to challenge the operation of an unregularised school in my area,” Murinye said. “I will not back off. This matter must be resolved.”

The school is owned by Masvingo-based businessman Philemon Mutangiri, whose investment has sparked sharp disagreement with the chief.

Murinye also claimed he was subjected to intimidation by members of the security services after being summoned to offices to discuss the matter.

“I went there with the Constitution because we must follow the supreme law of the country, but an army commander aggressively ordered me to shut up and close the issue. That kind of conduct suggests martial law,” he said.

Mutangiri has rejected the chief’s objections, accusing him of demanding what he termed “endless freebies,” including lifetime free education for his children.

Chief Murinye strongly denied the allegations.
“I educated my children using my own resources. I paid up to US$20 000 per year for one child studying in Malaysia. I have never depended on Mutangiri for anything,” he said.
Mutangiri further alleged that he spent US$7 000 to electrify the chief’s homestead, a claim Murinye partially acknowledged.

“The electricity connection is true, but it had nothing to do with this school. It was done long before the project and was purely voluntary,” Murinye said.

Maintaining his stance, the chief argued that allowing the school to operate without following laid-down procedures would undermine governance.

“This school violates procedure. If we tolerate this, we normalise corruption and destroy governance structures in rural communities,” he said, adding that he had advised Mutangiri as early as August 2025 to suspend construction until all approvals were secured.

However, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said government has permitted the school to continue operating, describing it as a developmental project, while authorities push for the completion of the regularisation process.