Chief Murinye Acquitted Of Extortion Charges

Masvingo traditional leader Chief Murinye has been acquitted of extortion charges linked to a dispute over the establishment of a private school, Riverton Academy, in his area.

Masvingo Regional Court magistrate Innocent Bepura cleared the chief, real name Ephias Munodawafa, after upholding his application for discharge at the close of the State case.

The case was brought by the owner of Riverton Academy, Philemon Mutangiri, who accused Chief Murinye of demanding that he provide electricity to the chief’s homestead and free, indefinite places for his children at the school.

Murinye, represented by lawyer Admire Rubaya, denied the claims. He argued the criminal case was being used to punish him for questioning whether the school’s construction and the acquisition of the land it was built on were lawful.

Prosecutor Romeo Zibani, for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), alleged that Chief Murinye called Mutangiri to a meeting and demanded electricity at his homestead, as well as a power connection from his fields to Boroma Dam.

He was also alleged to have demanded that Mutangiri enrol all his children at Riverton Academy Murinye for free and sign an agreement guaranteeing them free education indefinitely.

The State further alleged that on 11 January 2026, Murinye and Solomon Mukamwe blocked a school bus carrying pupils to Riverton Academy at the Topora-Rukovo Secondary School turn-off and again near the school, using a grey, unregistered Isuzu twin cab and a Nissan Vanette.

Murinye denied the allegations, saying Mutangiri had turned to the criminal justice system after he, Headman Clemence Mukamwi and Village Head Marko Machingura questioned whether the school had been lawfully established.

Rubaya argued the school had been built without the necessary development permit, approved plans and a resolution from Masvingo Rural District Council.

The defence also disputed the claim that Mutangiri had connected electricity at the chief’s home, saying the chief uses solar power, and questioned the credibility of the claim that he demanded free education for his children.

Rubaya said the criminal complaint was intended to divert attention from questions about how state land was acquired and how the school was built.

The State, opposing the discharge application, asked the court to consider putting Chief Murinye on his defence on an alternative charge of disorderly conduct over the alleged road blockage.

The court rejected the proposal, ruling that disorderly conduct had not been charged as an alternative from the outset and could not stand as a competent verdict to the extortion charge. It then upheld the defence application and acquitted Chief Murinye.

More: ZimLive