Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
PARENTS at Kumalo Primary School have expressed deep concern and outrage following the acquittal of the institution’s suspended headmistress, fearing the development could pave the way for her reinstatement.
Tensions flared soon after news of the acquittal filtered through the school community, sparking calls for transparency and a full explanation of how the once high-profile case collapsed.
Mhlanga, who has been on suspension since July this year following allegations of financial misconduct, walked out of court a free woman last week after the State failed to prove its case.
The ruling immediately sparked outrage among parents, who say they were expecting closure, not what they describe as a slap in the face.
“We suffered as parents. Our children suffered. The school’s reputation suffered. To come back and say the case just collapsed is unacceptable,” said a parent on condition of anonymity.
Mhlanga’s suspension plunged the school into administrative uncertainty, prompting temporary leadership changes, audits, and several explosive meetings between the school and district officials.
At the height of the allegations, parents accused the head of failing to account for significant sums of school development funds. Tensions flared as factions emerged — some supporting her removal, others defending her track record.
The ministry eventually suspended her pending investigations, but parents say communication afterward was minimal, leaving them “in the dark” about the progress of the case. Following her release, parents now fear she may be reinstated — a move they strongly oppose.
“We will not accept her return. Whether she was cleared or not, her leadership divided the school. Sending her back would be inviting chaos,” said another parent.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, through Bulawayo Provincial Education Director, Mr Bernard Mazambani, said an acquittal at the courts does not automatically translate to reinstatement.
“There are legal, administrative, and community considerations. The ministry will make a determination in due course. The court has its own findings and we handle our issues administratively,” said Mr Mazambani.
Mhlanga’s case has dominated conversations in the education sector for months. Her arrest followed a series of audits triggered by parental complaints.
Although the audits reportedly uncovered inconsistencies, the State’s case collapsed in court due to what officials described as insufficient evidence and lack of key documentation. The school’s SDC said the acquittal resulted from the State’s withdrawal due to procedural issues.
“Notably, the State failed to provide our statements to the accused’s defence counsel, rendering us incompetent as witnesses. This raises questions about the disappearance of crucial evidence and the impact on witness testimony. As the chief accounting officer, the headmistress remains accountable for financial irregularities under the Education Act and the Constitution (Section 298). We maintain that the acquittal was a technical victory, not a vindication of merit,” said the SDC in a statement.
