A dispute between Chief Murinye and businessman Mr Philemon Mutangiri over the opening of Riverton Academy-Murinye has not only blocked physical access to the new institution, but has triggered a wider public debate: How can a private boarding school charge only US$150 per term? What does that fee cover — and is it sustainable?
The Government is today expected to convene a mediation meeting aimed at resolving the impasse, following a dramatic stand-off in which Chief Murinye — born Elias Munodawafa — parked an Isuzu truck across the access road to the school, halting vehicles transporting parents and students. Police officers from Muchakata Police Station eventually intervened to clear the road.
The school, built by Mr Mutangiri on what he says is his ancestral land in Murinye communal lands, has reportedly enrolled about 1 000 students and intends to open this term. It is offering boarding services at US$150 per term, a price significantly below prevailing private-school boarding fees elsewhere in the country.
The stand-off: land rights vs educational access
At the heart of the confrontation are two overlapping issues:
- Authority and land control in communal areas
- The legality and governance of a fast-growing private boarding institution
Chief Murinye argues that construction proceeded without his authorisation, saying the businessman should have sought approval from him and other traditional leaders first.
“He showed contempt by building a school in a communal area without my permission. This is my land, and he should have sought approval from me and other traditional leaders before proceeding with construction. He must adhere to the law,”
— Chief Murinye
Mr Mutangiri counters that he possesses all the documents required to operate the academy and that he used only a portion of land handed down to him by his ancestors, aligning his initiative with the national mantra “nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.” He says he has also financed road rehabilitation and electricity connectivity in Murinye, including at the Chief’s homestead.
Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira has called for today’s meeting, stating the Government’s priority is to expand access to education.
Investigative questions around the US$150 boarding fee
Beyond the governance dispute, the academy’s US$150 per term boarding fee has drawn scrutiny. Key questions now emerging include:
- What exactly does the US$150 cover — tuition, boarding, meals, or only accommodation?
- How is student welfare, nutrition, and safety guaranteed at that price point?
- Does the school meet Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education standards for boarding facilities?
- With around 1 000 students enrolled, what is the teacher-to-pupil ratio?
- Are sanitation, dormitory space, and health facilities adequate for a boarding population of that size?
- Are all statutory approvals (education, health, EMA, local authority, physical planning) in place?
Investigative focus on these questions reflects a broader public-interest concern: low-cost private education can expand access — but also demands strong regulatory oversight to safeguard learners.
Education opportunity vs regulatory compliance
The case illustrates tensions between:
- community-based development initiatives,
- traditional leadership authority,
- and State regulatory responsibilities.
While the investor frames Riverton Academy as an empowerment project, the Chief frames it as a procedural violationin communal land management. At the same time, parents pursuing affordable boarding education are caught in the middle.
Today’s Government-convened meeting is expected to address:
- land and traditional leadership consent,
- legality of construction and operation,
- and the immediate question of whether learners may safely access the school this term.
What happens next
The future of Riverton Academy-Murinye now hinges on the outcome of mediation. However, even after the roadblock dispute is resolved, the central investigative question remains:
Can a private boarding school sustainably and safely operate at US$150 per term — and under what regulatory guarantees?
The answers will determine not only the fate of one school in Murinye, but will also signal how Zimbabwe manages the rise of low-cost private education in communal areas.
