Chief Mugabe Offers Village Heads 10% Commission to Recover Decade-Old School Debts — Legal Storm Brews

Chief Mugabe, born Matubede Mudavanhu, has authorised village heads within his jurisdiction to collect outstanding school fees from parents, offering a 10 percent commission on each recovery.

The directive, announced during a local leadership meeting, has sparked legal and ethical concerns over the role of traditional leaders in school administration.

Chief Mugabe confirmed the arrangement, stating it was designed to help schools recover long-standing debts, some dating back over a decade.

He said the decision followed consultations with school administrators and development committees, who agreed to compensate village heads for their efforts.

“Following consultations with school administrators and development committees, we resolved that village heads should help recover unpaid school fees. Some learners progressed through secondary school without settling their primary school dues.

“This must stop—traditional leaders have a duty to intervene,” said Chief Mugabe.

Several village heads who spoke to TellZim News confirmed the directive and said they had already begun identifying families with unpaid balances.

One village head noted that some parents transfer their children to other schools without settling debts, leaving institutions financially strained.

“It’s true, we were asked to collect fees, and we’ve seen cases where parents move their children once the bills become unbearable. We have to intervene for schools to recover their money,” said one village head.

However, the move has drawn criticism from education authorities.

Masvingo Provincial Education Director, Shylatte Mhike, questioned the legality of the arrangement and raised concerns about how schools would account for the commission paid to village heads.

“I am not aware of such an arrangement, and I will enquire from the District Schools Inspector (DSI). That arrangement is illegal, and I don’t know how the schools will acquit the money,” Mhike said.

This is not the first time Chief Mugabe has made headlines for controversial proposals.

He recently called for powers to preside over serious criminal cases such as murder and rape, sparking debate over the constitutional limits of traditional leadership.

While the fee collection initiative aims to support schools financially, critics warn it could open the door to abuse of power and exploitation of villagers.

The legality of the commission structure remains unclear, and education officials are expected to investigate the matter further.