Furious parents and staff at Alexandra Park Primary School have unleashed a torrent of grievances against the school’s leadership.
They accuse Headmaster Kwari and Deputy Headmistress Kundishora of fostering a toxic culture of corruption, negligence, and financial exploitation—allegations now under formal investigation by Zimbabwe’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
The scandal erupted after two unqualified staff members Ella Samanga and Nyembesi Matsengauswa, were irregularly promoted from general hand roles to high-salaried administrative positions meant for boarding schools.
Samanga and Nyembesi’s appointments raised eyebrows, as Alexandra Park operates solely as a day school with no boarding facilities.
This irregularity triggered a wider probe into the school’s financial and administrative practices.
Concerns over corruption, administrative incompetence, and financial mismanagement first arose when School Development Committee (SDC) Chairperson Tinashe Dhlamini noticed discrepancies in Samanga and Matsengauswa’s employment records.
Dhlamini, who initially raised concerns about the suspicious hiring practices and financial irregularities, has since faced a backlash from the school administration.
In an interview, Dhlamini expressed deep concern over administrative failures hindering the school’s progress.
“I’m worried and disappointed by the conduct of the administration, which is impeding the development of the school,” he said.
When asked about corruption allegations, Dhlamini declined to comment, stating, “The matter is under investigation by ZACC, so I cannot comment.”
This publication also interviewed aggrieved parents and staff, who decried an exploitative system they claim burdens families with excessive financial demands.
Investigations revealed that the administration, led by Kwari and Kundishora, collected nearly US$10,000, which remains unaccounted for.
Additionally, parents were forced to purchase branded book covers for upper-grade students at prices ranging from $US5 to $US12—ten times the market rate for standard covers.
Exploitative Fees and Child Neglect Exposed
The administration led by Kwari and Kundishira also imposed mandatory stationery bundles (including chair bags, rainbow books, and balloons) at an inflated cost of US$62 per learner, despite identical kits retailing for US$23–27 elsewhere.
Inside sources reported that learners without original textbooks face harassment, with a Grade 3 teacher implicated in routinely penalizing students unable to afford materials.
“Learners who do not pay for extra lessons are punished.
“This discriminatory conduct violates children’s educational rights,” said an anonymous insider.
Investigations also revealed that even parents of Early Childhood Development (ECD) learners are being exploited through annual demands for $700 printers for ECD classes, despite no evidence of their use.
“Where is the money going, what logic justifies printers for toddlers,” fumed a frustrated parent.
An insider added: “Each year, new parents are forced to buy printers, yet none are ever seen.”
“Further investigations revealed that some ECD teachers frequently leave toddlers unsupervised during school hours while conducting school runs.
Enrollment ‘Fraud’ Deepens the Crisis
Another insider revealed enrollment fraud compounding the crisis.
Class sizes, which previously averaged 25 to 62 students a 148 percent spike which Kwari and Kundishora attribute to a ministerial directive.
Yet, contrary to their claims, investigations suggest that placements are illicitly traded for US$350–500 per student with some school insiders pocketing the cash.
Overcrowding of learners at Alexandra Primary School is straining collapsing infrastructure.
Toilets remain blocked, sports fields languish unmaintained.
Reports have also emerged and donated equipment—including 30 hockey sticks (US$25 each) and 100 balls (US$5 each) from Alliance Health and Doctors Beyond Borders—was confiscated and never distributed to the tended learners.
“They prioritize bribes over sanitation,” a parent fumed, criticizing external coaches (some allegedly unvetted) for neglecting training while donated gear is confiscated.
Audit Scandal and Systemic Collusion
During a critical audit by Royal Chartered Accountants, Bursar Fatima Chikonye was permitted by Kwari to vacation in Tanzania, last December resulting in critical financial documents missing.
“This reeks of collusion,” an insider alleged, as parents question exorbitant fees funding neither infrastructure repairs nor qualified staff.
Leadership Silence and Community Outcry
When contacted, Kwari declined to comment, citing required “authority from the permanent secretary.”
Kundishora similarly refused, stating civil servants “cannot entertain media inquiries.”
“We’re being shortchanged, and our children’s futures are at stake,” declared a mother, reflecting widespread anger.
The situation has left many parents questioning the integrity of the school’s administration, with increasing calls for transparency and accountability as the ZACC investigation unfolds.
The fallout from the alleged corruption continues to affect not just the school’s staff, but also the students who are caught in the middle of this controversy.
Source – Zimcelebs
