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However, baton wielding riot police were blocking the gate.
The residents were chanting slogans and shouting obscenities against the headmistress.
One of the residents, Ms Nokuthula Dube, said she wanted the headmistress removed from the school, as the residents could no longer tolerate her.
“This woman is bad and she has caused this community so much pain. She has run this school as if it is a playground and we want her out before we take the law into our hands,” said Ms Dube.
“Our children have been forced to pay for crazy events that have nothing to do with the development of their lives. How can she force pupils to pay $1 for Valentine’s Day and many other dollars for civvies days that come almost every week?”
Another resident who identified himself as Mr Peter Dlamini said the residents were “thirsty” for the head’s blood.
“Our daughter was mistreated merely for R5 and was sent back home. We do have the R5 and we want the headmistress to give us back the child since she is only interested in money not the lives of our children,” said Mr Dlamini.
“What makes me furious is that the school called riot police so that it can protect this woman who has caused the death of our child.”
Miss Sithembiso Kunene, a neighbour to Nothando, could hardly hold back her tears back as she spoke to a Chronicle newscrew.
“I saw the girl minutes before she was fatally hit. She clearly told me that she was sent away to collect R5. I am surprised because when we got here, the school staff tried to play smart, saying Nothando never attended school today and quickly hid her satchel.
“Someone should act before we do something bad. Surely a dangerous gold digging headmistress cannot be left just like that,” said Ms Kunene.
Nothando’s uncle, Mr Robert Ncube, who was inside the school, said the family was disappointed at how the school had treated their daughter.
“Our daughter is going to the mortuary because she did not have R5. I wonder if the Ministry of Education is aware that our children are missing lessons merely because they cannot pay money, which has nothing to do with the curriculum.
“At the moment, we cannot say much besides that we are so bitter. What amazes me is that the school authorities had the guts to make a false report to the riot police so that they come and attack the residents,” said Mr Ncube.
He said the funeral wake was at House Number 56206/2 Old Lobengula and the family was still communicating with other members.
Efforts to get a comment from the headmistress were fruitless as she was locked up in an office at the school.
When this reporter approached her office, she was made to wait for the headmistress before being told that police had taken her away.
The officer commanding Bulawayo Traffic, Superintendent Henry Mhlanga, confirmed the incident yesterday and said investigations were under way.
“We are investigating a case whereby an eight-year-old pupil from Mtshede Primary School was fatally hit by a commuter omnibus. The accident occurred along Benjamin Burombo Road at about 8.20am,” said Supt Mhlanga.
He said police had arrested and detained the driver who was going to appear in court soon.
“We continue to advise drivers to be careful on the road and exercise extreme caution. They should reduce speed especially in high density suburbs where there is an influx of pedestrians and cyclists,” said Supt Mhlanga.
He said police were going to let the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture investigate the headmistress.
Contacted for comment, Bulawayo provincial education director Mr Dan Moyo said he had not yet received a report from the school.
Online Reporter