Gokwe School Fees Dispute Escalates as Cattle Seizures Spark Community Outcry

A dispute in Gokwe over unpaid school fees escalates after reports of cattle seizures from parents, prompting community outcry, legal concerns and calls for fair, transparent recovery methods (image source)

Dusty roads and anxious households in Gokwe have become the backdrop to a bitter dispute over unpaid school fees that has exposed deepening economic strain and social tensions in rural Midlands. The controversy erupted after reports that cattle were being seized from parents to recover outstanding fees, and a leaked audio clip alleging that aides to Chief Misheck Njelele were involved in the collections intensified public alarm.

In the circulated recording, villagers described heavy-handed debt-recovery tactics. One woman alleged that debt collectors summoned parents to the chief’s court, handcuffed them and confiscated cattle without proper legal authority. Others claimed cattle were taken and handed over to the chief, with some suggesting animals were later sold to middlemen. Voices in the audio questioned the legality and morality of the practice, arguing that many families are simply unable to meet fees amid rising poverty and large household sizes.

The dispute centres on schools such as Mapfumo Primary School, established in 1956 and enrolling about 1,200 pupils, which the chief says is owed more than US$65,000. Chief Njelele defended his actions, saying he is protecting education standards and acting in the best interests of schools that face chronic arrears. He denied profiting from collections and said most cases were resolved when parents paid in cash and retrieved their animals. The chief also cited a directive from the Ministry of Education urging schools to engage parents through debt collectors rather than withholding results.

Chief Njelele dismissed allegations of intimidation as exaggerated and suggested some complaints were driven by hidden agendas aimed at tarnishing his reputation. He said the matter is being handled by the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Gokwe and pledged transparency, proposing media-accompanied tours of future recovery exercises to demonstrate proper procedure.

(image source)

Police in the Midlands, however, say they have not received formal reports of illegal cattle seizures and urged anyone with evidence to come forward so investigations can proceed. Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said authorities would act impartially if complaints are lodged.

The episode highlights structural pressures on rural schools that rely heavily on parental fees while government disbursements under the Basic Education Assistance Module remain delayed. Education officials warn that persistent arrears undermine school operations, teacher morale and learning outcomes. Parents, meanwhile, argue that punitive recovery methods compound hardship and risk alienating communities.

Stakeholders call for a balanced approach: transparent debt-recovery mechanisms that respect legal safeguards, targeted social support for the poorest families, and improved communication between schools, chiefs and law enforcement. Without coordinated interventions, the Gokwe dispute risks deepening social fractures and disrupting children’s education in a region already grappling with economic insecurity.