Chief Murinye Escalates Riverton Academy Dispute to President Mnangagwa

By Dumisani Ndlovu

Bikita - Chief Murinye, also known as Ephias Munodawafa, has announced his intention to elevate his dispute with Riverton Academy, which he claims is located at his Murinye Extension, to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

He claims to be facing intimidation and alleges that the school's development is illegal.

“I’m escalating this matter to the highest authority so that he understands how I, as a traditional leader, am being intimidated,” Chief Murinye stated.

His decision follows a standoff that began last Sunday when he obstructed access to the newly constructed boarding school, preventing parents and students from entering.

In response, Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Ezra Chadzamira, has called on local authorities and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to expedite the school's registration process.

Chadzamira has convened a meeting with both Chief Murinye and the school's founder, businessman Philemon Mutangiri, in an attempt to ease tensions.

Mutangiri claims the school was built on his ancestral land, while Chief Murinye insists he did not authorize its construction.

Chief Murinye emphasized his authority over development projects in the area.

“In the first instance, there is no school called Riverton Academy Murinye Extension because it has not been established in terms of the laws of the country. Due process was not followed.

“As a matter of fact, I sit at the top of the administrative point of the Murinye communities. I authorize any developmental project that takes place in the area," the Chief said.

He criticized Mutangiri’s actions.

“You cannot just come and then allocate yourself a piece of land in the grasslands and then develop that piece for your personal aggrandizement at the expense of poor villagers.”

On previous attempts to find a solution, the Chief said they tried to engage with him for several occasions.

He says because Mutangiri was adamant, he proceeded to build the school against his advice.

“There is no license given by the Ministry of Education to authorize that school at the moment. It's an illegal school.”

The chief faced backlash after blocking public access to Riverton Academy and reportedly threatening to unleash snakes on the grounds.

“People are still saying, why did you allow him to finish the construction of the school and then try to stop you afterwards? I was not aware for a very long time until the school was at a very advanced stage.”

Addressing the issue of fees, he remarked that locals can't afford

“The school is charging $800 per child. No child from Murinye communities can afford that kind of fees. If they cannot afford $48 at a primary school, how could they afford $800?”

Minister Chadzamira has suggested that the school could temporarily operate as a "satellite" of an already registered institution while waiting for formal approvals, emphasizing that students should not experience interruptions in their education.

Chief Murinye however rejected this approach

“We cannot bless an illegality. Many people do wrong things, hoping that at the end of the day, people will just say, ‘It has been done already.'

"If Mutangiri wants a place to build a school, he can come properly and we will go together to find the right place where he can build a school.”

As he prepares for a meeting with President Mnangagwa, Chief Murinye expressed defiance against being demonized through social media.

"This idea of demonizing me throughout the nation is a non-starter."

The situation took a bureaucratic turn when the Masvingo Minister of State, Chadzamira, convened emergency talks, urging authorities to fast-track the school’s registration.

Chadzamira proposed a temporary solution where Riverton operates as a satellite of an existing registered institution while paperwork is finalized.

"Development cannot be halted by roadblocks or threats," he declared, a remark Chief Murinye dismissed as prioritizing the "elite" over community values.

The chief’s tactics, physical obstruction and inflammatory rhetoric, have drawn widespread rebuke.

Acting President, Vice President Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga issued a scathing statement, calling Murinye’s actions a "rejection of national progress" and warning of "chaos" if traditional leaders weaponizse their roles.

He said the Chief should be investigated and if found guilty should be dealt with accordingly.

Yet Murinye remains undeterred, framing his defiance as a defense of ancestral rights against "money-driven overlords."