MUSENGEZI High School head George Rambanepasi has reportedly launched a “witch-hunt” over the US$12 000 Toyota Hilux GD-6 vehicle repair scandal, NewsDay has gathered.
Rambanepasi is accused together with the bursar Sharon Kapende of allegedly abusing school funds.
The alleged witch-hunt follows an investigation by this publication that detailed how school funds were spent on Rambanepasi’s vehicle repairs, among other allegations last week.
On Monday, five outgoing School Development Committee (SDC) members were summoned to write reports on the vehicle repair scandal.
“Five of us were summoned by headmaster Rambanepasi to write reports on what transpired during our term of office,” one of our sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Four district education officers deployed by Chegutu district officer Dumisani Mbofana were present during the reporting exercise.
However, the move exposed Mbofana, who was “ordered” to take action against Rambanepasi.
“The audit report recommendations said headmaster Rambanepasi must explain why his car was repaired above US$12 000 without going to tender as required by government policy,” another source said.
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“District education officer [Mbofana] did not act and they are trying to cover-up after the story exposed financial abuse at the school.”
According to the latest information, Rambanepasi has extended his investigation to workers, including management, who may have leaked the information to the Press.
“He is leaving no stone unturned and is targeting some management members so that he gets his suspects dealt with as a matter of urgency,” a third source said.
It is believed that Rambanepasi will soon engage lawyers to sue this reporter to reveal his sources.
“Rambanepasi has said they will soon engage lawyers and sue Nhau Mangirazi to reveal his source of information as it has tarnished his (headmaster’s) image. He is not denying the story at all. He is eager to know how the journalist got accurate information on the vehicle repairs which are at the centre of controversy,” NewsDay heard.
An audit carried out from March 4 to 8, 2024 unearthed some anomalies comitted by the school authorities, including the SDC.
It is understood that the finance secretary refused to sign for payments to Toyota Zimbabwe, exposing the rift between the SDC members and the headmaster.
Invoices reveal that the school made two payments, with invoice number 1400064941 showing a payment of US$6 362,95, while the remainder was paid later making a total payment of US$12 000.
“The audit report queried why such a lot of money was used for vehicle repairs when the school does not have enough classrooms, among other challenges,” our sources revealed.
According to documents, the SDC treasurer report dated January 11, 2024 highlighted that school bursar Kapende wields too much power and abuses her office.
The report, titled Report on misconduct cases of SDC bursar, exposed a litany of allegations, among them failure to issue receipts to parents for payment made via the bank.
“It is a violation of the accounting process,” the report noted.
It further exposed how Kapende violated the procurement system.
“She [Kapende] bought school uniforms without going to tender as required. Furthermore she approved fumigation for the school premises without any tender process. There is a need for her to follow proper labour laws after she walked out of the meeting and threatened the SDC committee to dare fire her. It is unprofessional conduct,” the report further read.
According to disgruntled parents, Rambanepasi and Kapende are working in cahoots to drain school coffers dry.
“Kapende bought uniforms worth US$30 000 without going to tender, but through a verbal conversation with Rambanepasi. They inflated prices for the uniforms and other commodities bought by the school,” our sources revealed.
There are allegations of a ballooning SDC wages bill amounting to US$40 000.
“As concerned parents, we asked for contracts of these employees, but they said only 11 teachers are being paid by the committee,” one of the parents said.
“The rest are said to be general workers. As it stands, SDC projects that should have been making money for the school are being run by teachers. Parents are demanding reversal of such decisions.”
Both Kapende and Rambanepasi did not answer their mobile phones or respond to text messages.
Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said the case was under investigation.
“… Investigation is still ongoing,” he said.
Musengezi High School has also been at the centre of bullying allegations, among other issues.
