The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has suspended Kumalo Primary School headmistress Stella Mhlanga, pending a disciplinary hearing, over allegations of misconduct and embezzlement of school funds, charges that have already seen her appear in court.
Mhlanga (63) was suspended on Monday along with four others: deputy headmistress Enelesi Sibanda (56), and teachers Nombulelo Maiswe (57), Rumbidzai Magwaku (36), and Siphatheleni Sibanda (52).
In a statement, the School Development Committee (SDC) confirmed that a six-member delegation, comprising officials from the provincial education disciplinary office, finance, and human resources, was tasked with delivering the suspension letters. A statement by the SDC reads:
A quartet of officials was suspended pending investigation into allegations of misappropriation of funds.
A six-member delegation, comprising representatives from the Provincial Disciplinary, Finance, and Human Resources Management departments, came to deliver the verdict from the head office and permanent secretary of education.
Three SDC members were also in attendance to witness the transition and new developments.
Mhlanga’s ongoing legal troubles have attracted public attention following her arrest on allegations of fraud.
Her case, which stems from a misconduct report filed earlier this year, is expected to be heard in court on August 8.
Mhlanga’s disciplinary hearing, initially scheduled for June, failed to take place due to financial constraints.
The hearing was anticipated to clarify long-standing accusations against her and four other staff members, who were also implicated in the alleged misappropriation of school funds.
Her legal woes began in February when claims surfaced that she and her colleagues had siphoned off a substantial amount of money from the school’s coffers.
A previous attempt to conduct a disciplinary hearing on August 29, 2024, was aborted after the chairperson of the disciplinary committee, Lameck Mudyiwa, failed to attend without explanation.
This is not the first time Mhlanga has courted controversy. In 2015, she was dismissed from Magwegwe Primary School following protests by angry parents, an incident that escalated to the point of requiring anti-riot police intervention.
Parents at Kumalo Primary School have long been calling for her removal, questioning why she continues to serve in her role despite facing serious allegations.
Mhlanga was previously suspended in 2024 pending a disciplinary hearing. During that time, Deputy Head Enelesi Sibanda was appointed acting head. However, Mhlanga was reinstated on September 4 of the same year.
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