SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MASVINGO – Prominent Masvingo educationist and businessman, Philimon Mutangiri has secured victory at the High Court against Chief Murinye, Ephias Munodawafa, bringing an end to a dispute that began in early Ja this year.
The conflict started at the beginning of the school term when the Chief blocked parents from accessing Riverton Murinye School, arguing that he had not been consulted during construction and that the school was built on sacred land.
Mutangiri filed an urgent chamber application, HCMSC 14/26, and was granted an interdict by Justice Sunsley Zisengwe to halt the blockade.
Undeterred, the Chief summoned Mutangiri to his traditional court on 11 February 2026 to answer to charges of erecting a school on sacred ground and undermining traditional authority.
Through his lawyer, Ostern Mutero of Sawyer and Mukushi, Mutangiri challenged the summons, arguing it was meant to interfere with ongoing High Court proceedings and that the Chief could not fairly preside as both complainant and judicial officer.
Delivering judgment, Justice Christopher Dube Banda set aside the Chief’s summons of 1 February 2026 and declared all proceedings conducted under it invalid. The court effectively closed the matter.
