Court Battle Over School Land Leaves 300 Learners in Limbo
More than 300 learners have been left without access to education following the closure of Elizzy and Dyllan primary and secondary schools in Hwedza.
The shutdown stems from a heated ownership dispute between former business partners and spouses Janet Dapi and Watson Mirio Magwenzi.
The conflict has spilled beyond the courtroom into traditional leadership structures, threatening not only the future of the institutions but also the constitutional right to education for affected children.
Originally founded in Chitungwiza in 2022, the schools were later relocated to Hwedza, where they quickly became pillars of academic and sporting excellence.
Under Dapi’s financial and administrative leadership, the institutions saw major development, including borehole drilling and classroom construction.
They earned a reputation for high pass rates and athletic success, becoming a source of pride for the local community.
The Marondera Magistrates’ Court issued an interdict barring Dapi and the two schools from operating at Stand Number 36, Bita Farm, until the High Court finalizes the ownership dispute.
Magistrate Tamara Chibindi ruled, “The first and second respondents… are hereby interdicted from carrying any business… pending the finalisation of HCH 1862/25.”
The order also prohibits them from interfering with Magwenzi’s operations on the disputed land during the legal process.
In response, stakeholders including parents and teachers petitioned the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, calling for urgent intervention.
They argued that the dispute is more than a personal or legal matter—it directly undermines children’s access to education.
“It is a direct assault on children’s access to education and their right to a stable academic environment,” reads part of the petition.
According to NewsDay, Dapi accused Magwenzi of using political and familial influence—including ties to his cousin, Headman Munzverengi to secure State leasehold rights over the school land.
She claims she was sidelined despite her financial and legal contributions to the institution’s development.
“I had already built a school for the community and was paying for development permits to the Hwedza Rural District Council,” Dapi said.
She further alleged that Headman Munzverengi demanded a house in Harare in exchange for support in the lease application process.
“He told me that as a woman, I would not win against them,” she added.
Dapi also revealed that former councillor Mr. Manjeya was pressured to alter official minutes to include Magwenzi as the investor, but he refused, citing legal risks.
On November 30, 2024, during the school’s speech and prize-giving ceremony, Magwenzi and Munzverengi allegedly collaborated with Chief Svosve to reallocate the land to Magwenzi’s father under the pretext of cultural inheritance.
In December and January, Dapi and her staff were summoned to Chief Svosve’s traditional court, accused of removing traditional pegs.
The court initially ruled in favour of Magwenzi, ordering Dapi to vacate the premises and pay fines—one cow each to Munzverengi and Magwenzi’s father, and US$200 to Chief Svosve.
“I refused to pay and firmly stated that these claims were unjust, abusive, and rooted in gender discrimination,” Dapi said.
The ruling was later reversed, with the court demanding two goats from Magwenzi, exposing inconsistencies in the traditional legal process.
The High Court is set to hear the case on September 11.
