Online Reporter
Zimpapers Writer
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has suspended, pending a hearing, Kumalo Primary School headmistress Stella Mhlanga, over allegations of misconduct and embezzlement of school funds, which have led to her prosecution in court.
Mhlanga, 63, was suspended on Monday together with Enelesi Sibanda, 56, employed as the deputy headmistress, Nombulelo Maiswe, 57, a teacher, Rumbidzai Magwaku, 36 and Siphatheleni Sibanda, 52, also a teacher.
The School Development Committee (SDC) said in a statement that a six-member delegation, including representatives from the provincial education disciplinary department, finance, and human resources management, was designated to deliver the letters.
“A quartet of officials was suspended pending investigation into allegations of misappropriation of funds.
“A six-member delegation, comprising representatives from the Provincial Disciplinary, Finance, and Human Resources Management departments, came to deliver the verdict from the head office and permanent secretary of education,” read a statement by the SDC.
“Three SDC members were also in attendance to witness the transition and new developments.”
Bulawayo Provincial Education Director, Mr Bernard Mazambani, could not comment on the matter as he is attending a workshop.
Mhlanga’s case has attracted public interest since her initial misconduct report, which ultimately led to her arrest for fraud. The matter is still pending at the courts and will be heard on August 8.
Mhlanga was meant to undergo a hearing in June, but the hearing failed to materialise due to financial constraints.
The hearing was anticipated to shed light on the accusations that have been circulating for a long period.
Mhlanga’s legal troubles began in February, when allegations emerged that she and the four other staffers had misappropriated a significant amount of school funds.
Her disciplinary hearing, initially scheduled for August 29, 2024, failed to proceed after the chairperson of the disciplinary committee, Mr Lameck Mudyiwa, failed to attend for unexplained reasons.
Mhlanga’s troubled history dates back to 2015, when she was dismissed from Magwegwe Primary School following protests from concerned parents — an incident that required intervention from anti-riot police.
Parents with children at Kumalo Primary School have been vocal in demanding her removal, questioning why she remains in office while under investigation.
Citing the recent expulsion of a Grade Seven pupil from Robert Tredgold Primary School for indiscipline, parents have accused the ministry of applying double standards.
In recent years, several school heads and SDC chairpersons have been arrested for misappropriating school funds.
Last year, Mhlanga was suspended pending a disciplinary hearing.
During that time, Deputy Head Sibanda was appointed acting head. However, Mhlanga was reinstated on September 4.
