Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
SELECTIVE invitation of parents and guardians to today (Friday)’s meeting on the intended purchase of a Dangare Primary School bus in Mutare has ignited fury, with many questioning the payment processes and pricing ahead of what is expected to be a highly emotive gathering.
Last Tuesday, parents and guardians stormed the school demanding answers after authorities allegedly quoted US$290 000 for the bus — a figure they claim is grossly inflated and designed to exploit them.
The protest erupted on the opening day of the second term, with angry parents accusing school officials of attempting to overcharge them for an asset meant to improve the learning environment. They vowed not to contribute until the price was explained and justified.
Investigations by The Manica Post revealed that the quoted figure far exceeds market rates.
Yutong buses typically range between US$60 000 and US$70 000, while a local dealer that supplies buses to schools pegs prices at around US$230 000 — lending weight to parents’ concerns over possible irregularities.
The discrepancy has fuelled allegations of mismanagement, and prompted calls for an immediate audit of the procurement process. Pursuant to the parents and guardians’ dissatisfaction, a meeting has now been scheduled to discuss the matter at the school premises, but not all parents were invited.
Reads the letter signed by the school head and School Development Committee chairman: “You are being invited to a meeting to explain how buses are purchased in Government schools at Dangare Primary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Failure to produce this invite will result in being denied entry.”
The meeting starts at 10am.
However, parents and guardians who contributed to a Dangare School Bus Issue WhatsApp group with 445 participants, expressed anger and dissatisfaction at how the school is handling the matter.
Said one parent: “I think we just have to make our concerns clear to those inviting us to this meeting that we are no longer interested in buying a bus with the current School Development Committee in place. Let us first have the SDC finish its term, vote for a new SDC and start discussing about purchasing a bus.”
Another parent said: “If this meeting is genuinely meant to address our issue, why are they selectively inviting parents and guardians. Let us remain united, and those accepted into the meeting must demand that their colleagues be allowed in before the meeting can proceed. Do they think anyone in their right frame of mind and without a child at Dangare Primary, can leave their busy schedule to attend a school bus meeting that they do not have any interest in? Something is fishy. This is just a divide and rule tactic.”
Contacted for comment, Mutare District Schools Inspector, Mrs Tracy Mademutsa said: “The school opened smoothly with 100 percent teacher attendance, and 1 168 out of 1 527 learners who turned up for lessons on the first day of the second term of 2026. 1 168 learners had paid something towards tuition and SDC levies.
“However, it was observed that apart from parents and guardians queuing to pay fees, there were others who were scattered in the school grounds around the administration block.
“After deliberations with the school admin, it was established that these parents and guardians had queries with the manner in which the bus levy was meant to be paid.
“The school was advised to set a date for an Emergency General Meeting to iron out all bus levy queries. Parents and guardians were addressed by the District Schools Inspectors and agreed to the arrangement. They all went away after that.”
