Zimpapers Logo

Abigail Mawonde Herald Correspondent
Seke 1 High School headmaster Mr Chrispen Taruvinga has been suspended to facilitate investigations over the possible embezzlement of $211 000 in levies paid by parents. Mr Taruvinga was suspended last Friday. Harare provincial education director Mr Christopher Kateera confirmed the development in an interview with The Herald yesterday. “I can confirm that the headmaster was suspended on Friday last week. He will be on suspension for 90 days, which is the usual period for suspension,” he said.

Mr Kateera could not divulge details leading to the suspension. “I am not in a position to say off hand, but there are a number of reasons. Let me just say he was suspended due to incompetence,” he said.

Asked if it was not linked to the alleged embezzlement of $211 000, Mr Kateera said: “I wouldn’t like to get into details except to say it was just general incompetence because we are still to hear his side of the story.”

Mr Taruvinga could neither confirm nor deny that he had been suspended. “You may contact the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. I am not allowed to talk to you,” he said. A source from the school said the suspension had been done secretly since nothing had been formally communicated to them.

“On the day the headmaster was suspended, it was never clear. He even drove the school car back to his house only to have a driver sent to collect it from him later on. “Up to now, we have not been shown the suspension letter. Neither have we heard that they have done a proper hand-over, take-over. We just hear his deputy Mr Mudhege is the acting heard,” said the source.

The source added: “The headmaster is suspected to have been working with some ministry official (name supplied) who tries by all means to cover up for his scandals.” Mr Taruvinga was accused for purporting to have sunk a borehole worth $19 000 — an amount which can sink three more boreholes at the school.

He is also said to have claimed to have refurbished the school bus to the tune of $27 000, and is accused of duplicating receipt books amongst other allegations.

Meanwhile, the deputy head Mr Lameck Mudhege has taken over Mr Taruvinga’s duties in an acting capacity.