The compound, located in Linwood village, Ward 11, was left vacant by a commercial farmer who relocated to South Africa last year. According to local councillor Gabriel Mavezera, Headman Flavian Munanzwi is opposing all efforts to vacate the compound and pave way for processes to make it a community school.
“Children in the ward walk to Chitenderano primary school, which is about 11 km from Linwood community. It was against that background that we approached relevant authorities and government to help make the community compound a school.
“But all the plans have now been hampered by Headman Munanzwi who is refusing to vacate the institution. The place is big and consists of spacious rooms which we saw as ideal for a proper school,” explained the councillor.
Fosilio Chimbiya, the Ward 11 Development Coordinator who works under the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, confirmed the stand-off.
“We have received a petition signed by 150 villagers protesting against the grabbing of the compound that had been earmarked for creation of a school. Copies of the petition have been put forward to the District Administrator’s office, police and the Provincial Administrator Cecilia Chitiyo. We hope to get a solution to the problem and have the school established. The actions of the headman are regrettable,” he said.
When this reporter visited the area, family members of the headman blocked him from commenting on the issue.
Sources who spoke to The Zimbabwean said the actions of Headman Munanzwi were backed by war veterans, who say he ought to be rewarded for campaigning for Zanu (PF) at the last elections.
“The headman was very instrumental in whipping the villagers into the Zanu (PF) line and so he is seen by war veterans as the one who helped in securing victory for MP Emmerson Mnangangwa. Accordingly, they want him to stay on the compound,” said one source.
Post published in: News