Parents at Ngangu Primary School in Chimanimani have returned a newly purchased school bus to the supplier, alleging that it was overpriced.
Manicaland Provincial Education Director Richard Gabaza (pictured) said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has since intervened and deployed auditors to investigate the matter. Said Gabaza:
We have sent auditors to establish the facts. We will provide a detailed comment once we have the findings.
The dispute has allegedly exposed underlying local political tensions.
A parent, speaking to The Manica Post on condition of anonymity due to fears of repercussions for their child, said all parties involved should reach a consensus on the pricing issue and advise the bank accordingly on the next steps. Said the parent:
Parents and other stakeholders must accept the bus at its real cost, and the cost must be aggregated and agreed to by all parties involved. The bank must also be engaged, and advised on the way forward.
They must be told that they erred by providing the loan, even after a petition by parents had been send to them. Peace with the bank must prevail for the sake of progress.
The warring factions must engage each other by means of a non-aligned facilitator, and they must come back to the parents offering a way forward with one voice.
However, another parent expressed concern over the expenses already incurred during the aborted purchase. Said the parent:
A lot of Ngangu parents will celebrate the return of the bus, but at whose cost? Parents paid for travel and subsistence allowances, bank charges, fuel, and other related costs. The figures must be accounted for.
If individuals are found guilty of facilitating this deal, they must return all amounts involved, be charged, and face arrest.
More: The Manica Post
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