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Extra Reporters
A huge storm is brewing at Southlea Park Secondary School in Harare South after it emerged that the current chairperson of the school development committee, Mr Mubaiwa Nyikadzino, is an ex-convict.
Statutory Instrument 87 of 1992 stipulates that persons declared insolvent or bankrupt and have not been rehabilitated, and those with criminal records, cannot sit on SDCs.
Even the spouse of a person so convicted cannot handle SDC finances.
A person seeking a seat on any SDC requires police clearance, raising questions as to how Mr Nyikadzino had a certificate issued despite his conviction.
Mr Nyikadzino’s past was unearthed when authorities investigated his background because of his “questionable” behaviour.
Investigations established that the 46-year-old Nyikadzino was convicted on three counts of fraud in May 2010 at the Mbare Magistrates’ Courts.
He was spared jail on condition that he restitute more than US$1 400 he had defrauded three former employees of Paramount Garments, where he once worked as a human resources officer.
Our own investigations verified this.
There are questions as to how got a police clearance certificate (number IU4238/ IU332B) issued on June 2, 2014 to validate his SDC appointment.
And parents are up in arms.
“Although it was agreed that members of the school development committee would get a US$10 allowance for refreshments and transport for sittings that normally do not exceed four every month, Mr Nyikadzino managed to get US$150 in the month following his appointment in June 2014.
“This prompted the school to put a lid on such allowances, a development that did not go down with the chairperson,” said a concerned parent who chose to remain anonymous.
National police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, said last week it was impossible for one to get a clean police clearance if they had been convicted before.
“It is not possible because it is a process, it is a process which the police go through thoroughly and all the records are checked,” she said.
But Mr Nyikadzino got his certificate.
Harare District Education Officer Mr Solomon Mafukidze said: “I think the issue is now becoming personal. School authorities are saying the chairperson should be removed because they are saying he is abusing funds and has a record of criminal behaviour but they are not bringing evidence forward,” he said.
“On the other hand, the chairperson has recommended that the (teacher-in-charge) who is running the school should be removed but he, too, is not giving reasons and we have said as a ministry we should follow procedure as prescribed by Statutory Instrument 87 of 92.
“If they can come up with evidence which shows that he (Nyikadzino) has a criminal record, indeed, then the matter will be re-considered but the parents have to be consulted.”
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