Tinotenda Hove – Chief Murinye, born Ephias Munodawafa, has appealed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene in a growing dispute over the establishment and operation of Riverton Academy Murinye Extension, a private boarding school in his area which he says was built without following proper procedures.

The traditional leader attracted national attention over the weekend after he blocked learners from accessing the school, arguing that the institution is operating without full regularisation. Riverton Academy is owned by Masvingo businessman Philemon Mutangiri.

Speaking this week, Chief Murinye said he has formally raised the matter with senior authorities and remains resolute, despite alleging intimidation by members of the army.
“I have written to the president of the Chiefs Council, Chief Khumalo, and copied the President and other government officials to challenge the operation of an unregularised school in my area,” he said.

He added: “I will not back off. This should be resolved. Yesterday I was intimidated by the army.”

Chief Murinye said he reported to offices where he had been summoned carrying a copy of the Constitution, insisting that the matter should be handled in line with the country’s supreme law.
“I went to the offices where I had been summoned, armed with the Constitution because we need to follow the supreme law,” he said.

However, he claimed his attempt to rely on the Constitution was dismissed. “An army commander aggressively ordered me to close the Constitution, which means it is martial law,” Chief Murinye alleged.

Mutangiri has accused the traditional leader of demanding “endless freebies,” including free education for his children beyond his lifetime, allegations Chief Murinye has denied.
“I have a son who was in Malaysia pursuing his studies. I forked out US$20 000 per year,” he said.

He added: “I have never relied on Mutangiri for my children’s education. Even if I had failed to pay fees, if I had asked Mutangiri, what would have been the problem?”

The businessman has also claimed that he spent US$7,000 to connect electricity to Chief Murinye’s homestead. While acknowledging that electricity was connected, the chief said the issue predated the school project.

“He is the one who initiated the gesture after realising that I had no power at my new residence after moving from my old residence, where there was power that was connected under President Mnangagwa’s leadership,” Chief Murinye said.

He maintained that allowing the school to operate without following established procedures would set a dangerous precedent, normalising corruption and weakening governance structures in rural areas.

Chief Murinye also revealed that on 8 August 2025, he wrote to Mutangiri advising him to suspend construction until all legal and administrative requirements had been met.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, told journalists on Monday that the government had permitted the school to operate.

While acknowledging that authorities generally prefer full regularisation before opening, Chadzamira said the government views the school as a development initiative for the province.