Chinotimba Primary School head takes SDC chair to court

CHINOTIMBA Primary School in Victoria Falls has turned into a battleground between parents and the school head, Mrs Thandiwe Mathema, who has dragged the School Development Committee (SDC) chair, Mr Bhekimpilo Tshongwe, to court for a peace order and cyberbullying.

Mr Tshongwe has resigned from the school committee owing to bad blood with the head, who reportedly wants to cover up a series of allegations, including flouting tender procedures and forcing learners and teachers to do general work during lesson time.

Mrs Mathema joined the school as a substantive head in August last year, replacing the long-serving Mrs Cynthia Khumalo, the former National Association of Primary School Heads president, who retired last year.

Before joining Chinotimba, Mrs Mathema was the substantive head at Neluswi Primary School in Jambezi.

She is a former deputy head at Baobab Primary School in the city and Monde Primary School outside Victoria Falls. Chronicle was told she unceremoniously left both schools after clashing with parents and colleagues.

At Monde, she was reportedly once beaten up by a parent.

Trouble started after allegations surfaced that she flouted tender procedures by overriding the procurement committee’s resolution and imposing her husband, Mr Ben Mhlanga, as a supplier to the school.

Last year, parents raised concerns that Mrs Mathema would order teachers to pick litter and clean around the school, despite the fact that the school has general hand staff.

In the latest developments, Mrs Mathema has taken Mr Tshongwe to court, seeking a peace order, claiming he has been harassing her by updating parents about events at the school.

It is the role of an SDC chair to keep parents updated.

According to a report made to the police, Mrs Mathema claims Mr Tshongwe bullied her online.

This follows a message which Mr Tshongwe, in his capacity as SDC chair, sent to parents, advising them about a meeting scheduled for the election of a new committee at the school.

The WhatsApp message was circulated on community platforms where the events at the school have been a topic of discussion.

The message reads:

“Linjani zakhamizi kulomhlangano mhlaka 20/02/25 owokukhetha I Sdc Committee. Lapha silendaba lomphathi isikolo ofunda ukwenza akufunayo. Wayefuna kubotshwe abazali nge nxayezikhweledi ze fees I Sdc yala sabiza abazali sakhuluma labo bazikhethela ukubhadala abakukwenelisayo yikho. Umphathi ufuna siphume ngoba samangala ku Public service commission ukuthi usebenzisa abantwabethu ngesikhathi befanele befunde yikho I education yakwala lokho okuyikho angakufuniyo. Lapha ufuna siphume agqibele amacala akhe kungangena abanye uzafosa ukuthi athi amacala akhona alwe bazali akumanga kuhle esikolo sethu buyami ngobunengi lizosekela I sitting committee emele abazali. Siyabonga. Ngu chair wesdc.”

Translation:

“Good day, residents. There is a meeting on 20/02/25 to elect the SDC Committee. Here, we have an issue with the school head who does as she pleases. She wanted parents to be arrested over school fee arrears, but the SDC refused and called the parents to discuss, allowing them to pay what they could afford.

The head wants us to leave because she was shocked when the Public Service Commission found out that she uses our children during time meant for learning.

That is why education is failing; it’s because of what she is doing, which is not right. Here, she wants us to leave so she can finish her cases without interference.

She will then claim that her cases are being fought by parents, but she is not doing well at our school. By majority, the sitting committee representing the parents will support. Thank you. From the SDC Chair.”

The case is expected to go to court on Friday morning.

More to follow…