Chief Murinye has written to President Emmerson Mnangagwa challenging the operation of Riverton Academy Murinye Extension, a private boarding school he says was built without proper authorisation in his Masvingo area.
The traditional leader, born Ephias Munodawafa, made headlines over the weekend after physically blocking learners from accessing the school, insisting it has not been regularised.
The school is owned by Masvingo businessman Philemon Mutangiri.
“I have written to the president of the Chiefs Council and copied the President and other officials to challenge the operation of an unregularised school in my area,” Chief Murinye told NewsDay.
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“I will not back off. This must be resolved.”
He alleged intimidation by the army after being summoned to offices over the dispute.
“I went there with the Constitution because we must follow the supreme law, but an army commander aggressively ordered me to close it. That suggests martial law,” he said.
Mutangiri dismissed the chief’s objections, accusing him of demanding “endless freebies,” including lifetime free education for his children.
Chief Murinye denied the claim.
“I have educated my children on my own. I paid up to US$20 000 a year for one studying in Malaysia. I have never relied on Mutangiri,” he said.
Mutangiri also claimed he spent US$7 000 to connect electricity to the chief’s homestead.
Murinye confirmed the connection but said it predated the school project and was a voluntary gesture.
“This school violates procedure. If we allow this, we normalise corruption and destroy governance in rural areas,” the chief said, adding he advised Mutangiri in August 2025 to halt construction pending approvals.
However, Masvingo Minister of State Ezra Chadzamira said government has allowed the school to operate, describing it as a development initiative, even as authorities encourage completion of the regularisation process.
