The ongoing crisis surrounding Mrs. Gowora’s deployment to Mabvengwa Primary School in Marange stems from parents’ fierce protests and accusations of her practicing Satanism, a controversy that has followed her through multiple transfers. Earlier in the year and prior to this event, Mrs. Gowora was rejected at both Zamba Primary School and Nyamauru Primary School, and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education was even forced to rescind a headship posting in Sakubva due to similar parental uproar. The tension at Mabvengwa began when Mrs. Gowora was introduced on September 25, culminating in an alleged incident where she implied a learner was a Satanist. This led to her departing for her own safety and prompted a widespread school boycott.
The parental protest began with a “silent protest” on a recent Monday and, as of October 24, 2025, the school had been operating without its 460 enrolled learners for five days. Despite a meeting that concluded Mrs. Gowora remains the school’s “bonafide head” and must be protected, parents have vowed to continue keeping their children at home and are actively pursuing transfers to other schools until the Ministry removes her. The crisis highlights the community’s refusal to compromise their children’s safety and their defiance against the Ministry’s repeated attempts to transfer Mrs. Gowora into a new position.
- Prior to Current Events (Jan 2025):
- Mrs. Gowora was previously rejected at Nyamauru Primary School and Zamba Primary School due to parental protests accusing her of practising Satanism.
- Protests at Zamba Primary School at the beginning of the first term blocked her appointment as deputy head, forcing the Ministry to cancel her transfer.
- The Ministry was forced to rescind her headship at a school in Sakubva following protests.
- September 25:
- Mrs. Gowora, recently promoted, was deployed to Mabvengwa Primary School in Marange and introduced to parents.
- Immediately Following Transfer (Late September/Early October):
- The new head’s first encounter with parents ended with her departure after she allegedly indicated a learner was a Satanist, angering parents who accused her of initiating the child.
- Mrs. Gowora subsequently left and collected her belongings for her safety.
- A Recent Monday (Mid-October):
- The silent protest (boycott) began, with 460 enrolled learners boycotting classes.
- A Recent Wednesday (Mid-October):
- The Manica Post visited the school to find classrooms deserted and teachers sitting idly.
- Recent Days (Leading up to October 24, 2025):
- The school had been operating without a solution for five days with no sign of resolution.
- A meeting was held (chaired by the Mutare Development Coordinator) which concluded that Mrs. Gowora remains the bonafide head and must be protected.
- October 24, 2025 (Newspaper Date):
- Parents continue to keep their children at home and are making plans to transfer them to other schools (like Makunika Primary School) next term if the Ministry does not accede to their demands and remove Mrs. Gowora.
