The High Court has ordered Chief Murinye, real name Ephias Munodawafa, not to interfere with a new private school after ruling that his actions were illegal and not part of his official duties as a traditional leader.
Justice Josephine Zisengwe of the Masvingo High Court granted an urgent order stopping the chief from blocking access to Riverton Academy Extension, a private school in Murinye and Machingura villages. This followed a standoff at the start of the January 2026 school term.
The court heard that on 11 January, Munodawafa blocked the road to the school with his vehicle, stopping parents from dropping off children. He allegedly threatened to release snakes on the school grounds to prevent classes from starting.
The school owner, Philimon Mutangiri, went to the High Court urgently, seeking protection from what he called the chief’s vigilante-style behaviour.
The chief argued that the school was built on communal land without his permission, without council approval, and without following legal requirements like an environmental assessment. He said the Traditional Leaders Act gave him the power to stop unauthorised use of communal land.
Justice Zisengwe rejected these arguments, saying chiefs have authority but must follow the law. She ruled that Munodawafa could not act as complainant, judge, and enforcer in the same matter. Even if he thought the school was illegal, there are legal ways to address it.
The judge dismissed most of the chief’s preliminary objections and found that the school had the right to operate while regulatory issues were still being reviewed. She said that blocking the school would harm learners by taking away valuable class time, which they will never recover.
The court ordered that until a final decision is made, Munodawafa and anyone acting for him must not block roads or interfere with the school’s activities in any way.
More: ZimLive
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