By Dereck Goto – The situation at United Theological College has devolved into a predictable crisis, and the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of its Principal, Dr. Kupakwashe Mtata. The consensus among staff and residents is stark and unambiguous: Dr. Mtata has abandoned his administrative and fiduciary duties in favor of partisan political posturing.

While the college faces glaring financial shortfalls, there is no evidence of a strategic plan from the Principal to secure funding, improve staff welfare, or address the crumbling infrastructure. Instead of leading institutional development, Dr. Mtata has prioritised external political engagements, leaving the very people who sustain the college to contend with stagnant conditions and unmet needs.

The consequences of this misdirection are now tangible. The Board of Bishops and the College Council have registered their displeasure with his political activities, and it is understood that they are actively considering forcing him to take a sabbatical leave. This is not a matter of rumor; it is a direct institutional response to a leader who has lost sight of his core mandate.

Further underscoring the instability, the college grounds were recently defaced with graffiti. This act of vandalism has not only unsettled the workers but has also exposed the security and administrative lapses that occur when a Principal is absent in mind and spirit. The staff are left to manage the fallout of a leadership vacuum while their Principal pursues agendas that have nothing to do with the college’s survival.

Dr. Mtata has been given a mandate to educate and uplift, yet he has chosen a political path that has left United Theological College financially stranded, politically exposed, and administratively fractured. The sabbatical is not a solution – it is a verdict on his failure to lead.