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following a dispute over the ownership of the premises housing the school.
Business at the school ground to a halt after Herentals College officials kicked out the headmaster, teachers and pupils claiming they bought the property from a company called Uni Time Investment.
The school has an enrollment of 750 pupils.
However, a company called Release Power Investment yesterday claimed it owned the buildings and the school.
When The Herald visited the school yesterday morning, parents who were dropping off their children clashed with bouncers that had reportedly been hired by Herentals College to block pupils who had not paid fees.
Witnesses said over 20 bouncers were bused by the college officials and broke a lock to the main gate, forcing their way into the grounds.
The bouncers prevented parents from dropping off their children at the school.
One parent had to be taken to a nearby clinic with a swollen face after allegedly being assaulted by the bouncers.
The parents expressed shock that the property had been sold to Herentals College without either notifying them or seeking their consent.
The college has since hired its own teachers, security and caretakers.
Police had to be called in to quell disturbances and took the parties to the dispute to Kuwadzana Police Station.
Cold Comfort School Development Committee deputy chairman Mr Oliver Chiyangwa dismissed claims that the premises had been sold.
“We became aware of this situation last Sunday after noticing brochures distributed that indicated that the school would now be called Herentals College.
“We built this school and developed it so they cannot just come here and claim to own it,” Mr Chiyangwa said.
He said a proper handover/takeover would have been done if the school premises had been sold.
Mr Josiah Mutsvanguma, representing Release Power Investment, the owners of the school, also expressed shock over claims that Herentals College had acquired the property.
“I am not aware of this and we don’t have intentions of selling this school. This is fraud and we will soon be taking legal action against the college.
“This school is registered with the ministry and this is a fraud. Legal action would be taken,” he said.
However, Herentals College representative Mr Kudakwashe Remba said they bought the property from Uni-Time Investments in January last year and were taking over the property.
“We are trying to start operations as a private college and are surprised that school officials have not moved out since we have been planning this for over a year now,” he said.
Although he claimed ownership, Mr Remba did not have documents proving his college bought the property.
They have since erased the name Cold Comfort School and replaced it with Herentals.
Uni Time Investment officials could not be reached for comment.
“The previous teachers have their own employer and should deal with their employer the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture,” he said.
The Cold Comfort School headmaster, who was only identified as Mr Chinyamuchiko, referred all questions to the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.
Acting Harare provincial education director Mr Edward Shumba confirmed the disturbances.
He, however, said the school was registered and expressed surprise that Herentals College was claiming ownership.
“We are not aware of the sale of the property and new ownership at the school. In fact, schools are not sold but are re-registered.
“All we know is that Herentals College is registered as a non-formal education sector provider, which covers secondary and not primary education.
“So we are shocked with the claim that the independent college has taken over the school,” Mr Shumba said.
He said there was no documentation to prove that the college had acquired the property.
“We are fully aware of the chaotic situation and we have since instructed the district education officer to ensure that normal classes resume,” he said.
However, Mr Remba declined to disclose whether they were allowed to run a primary school or not.
Parents with children at the school have since petitioned the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture over lack of transparency in the manner the property reportedly changed hands.
They argued that the change in ownership, coming in the second term, was unacceptable to residents who had contributed to the development of the school.
“We think due to the proximity of the school and the fact that we also contributed in building of structures, the school should be affordable to local children.
“Secondly, there was no consultation on the supposed transfer in ownership until a day before schools opened when we were told of the changeover and increases in fees.
“Last term we were paying US$50 and from no way we are being asked to pay US$140. We thus appeal to Government to act on the situation before it gets out of hand,” reads part of the petition.
Mrs Agnes Makoni said parents were shocked by the sudden change of ownership of the property.
She said parents were disgruntled over the new fee structures, which they claimed were “too exorbitant”.
Mrs Makoni said it was improper for the college to hike fees from US$50 to US$140 and demand an additional US$15 for transport.
“This is unacceptable as the parents and guardians have invested much in the construction of the school security wall. Only last term we paid US$10 per child towards the painting and other renovations at the school,” she said.
Ms Mudiwa Makwiza said: “This is a community school and should not be sold without the consent of the parents. The Cold Comfort community owns this school so I do not see the reason why ownership should just change overnight.
“What scares us the most is that the educational welfare of our children is being compromised by the exorbitant fees that are now being charged.”
Online Reporter