Faith Ndou
MASVINGO-In a new turn of events, Chief Murinye, a legal officer by profession who had withdrawn summons against educationist and businessman, Philimon Mutangiri to appear before his traditional court on February 5, quickly issued fresh ones.
Mutangiri, the owner of Riverton Extension Murinye School, was issued with summons by Chief Murinye to appear before his court on February 5, 2026, but the businessman’s lawyer challenged the summons at the High Court.
Chief Murinye withdrew the summons after Mutangiri’s lawyer, Tymon Tabana of Tabana and Marwa Legal Practitioners argued that the summons did not comply with customary law.
Chief Murinye quickly issued new summons which the lawyers said they will challenge at the High Court as the Chief cannot be the complainant, and the jury at the same time.
“Samanisi remusi wa5Feb chirega hako nekuda kwezvakataurwa nemagweta ako. Apa wava kuzotongwa nenyaya dzechivanhu huye dare ndorimwe chete.
“Unoyambirwa kuti dare richaenderera mberi nekutonga nyaya dzako usipo kana ukarega kuuya,” reads part of the new summons dated February 1, 2026.
This follows an incident that went viral on social media where the traditional leader unsuccessfully blocked parents from accessing the school premises on its opening day.
This occurred on the 11th of January 2026 when Chief Murinye allegedly parked his official Isuzu vehicle across the public road leading to Riverton Academy thereby blocking parents and students from entering the school premise.
Reacting to the unfolding situation, Mutangiri filed an application with the court on 13 January, requesting urgent intervention to ensure that the school would operate without obstruction.
Mutangiri’s application emphasized his right to offer learning to students and highlighted the risks posed by the Chief’s actions which were seen as an attempt to disrupt the school’s smooth operations.
Following the application, Chief Murinye issued a formal summons to Mutangiri, requesting his presence at the traditional court on the 5th of February 2026, to answer charges related to illegal construction on communal land and alleged insults against the Chief.
