Mavhudzi shooting: School surrenders firearms to police

AUTHORITIES at Mavhudzi High where a jealous and obsessive armed guard ran amok, shot and killed a subordinate, have surrendered all firearms to the police pending a review of the security system at the school.

The Manica Post has established that the move was aimed at pacifying restive parents who had threatened to withdraw their children citing their vulnerability in the midst of unpredictable armed guards.

The parents had serious reservations about the technical and moral quality of the guards and whether they should be armed.

This follows the recent incident in which fugitive Joseph Zvikumva (33) callously shot and killed his subordinate, Itai Mutasa, accusing him of dating and siring a baby with his widowed live-in lover, Fiona Muchichwa.

Muchichwa was dating both Zvikumva and Mutasa and allegedly ignited the wanted killer guard’s wrath after telling him that the nine-month-baby, whose paternity he was claiming, belonged to the shot victim.

He also shot and injured Nyaradzai Marange (55) on the shoulder as he charged towards his girlfriend. Marange has since been discharged and is recuperating at home.

Though Mavhudzi head, Mr Chimbande, was tight-lipped over the matter, The Manica Post has established that the school was forced to surrender all firearms to police due to poor safety measures.

“First, schools must be safe sanctuaries, not armed fortresses. Our public schools must first and foremost be places where teachers can safely educate and nurture our children.

“Our kids are counting on us and we need to act in a real comprehensive way to help them heal and keep them safe. And that doesn’t mean adding more guns to the problem,” said a parent.

Another parent, who also opted not to be named, said corrective measures must be taken while the tragedy was still fresh in the mind.

Another parent who is a security expert argued that security guards are supposed to safeguard, patrol and monitor the areas of premises assigned to them, but the moment episodes of gun violence and threats of it begin to dominate their scope of work, the safety of institutional publics gets compromised.

“We cry. We pray. We grieve and we risk grieving even more, knowing that unless fundamental and decisive actions are taken in our schools, we will be grieving again for the victims of the next school shooting. As parents, we dream of a day when every child is safe and every school is a sanctuary of learning. But if we continue to dream alone, it’s only a dream, the authorities must take corrective measures,” said the parent.

Mavhudzi SDC chairperson Mr Justin Muchidha said while parents had a right to raise concerns on the safety of children, they must know that the incident occurred during the holiday and involved ancillary staff.

“The use of guns has been halted. All guards are not armed. That (shooting) was a serious abuse, and that was not the intended purpose of the firearm,” said Mr Muchidha.

“The firearms are with the police. There is no need to panic. Students are safe. We are reviewing the entire security system to tighten up all loose ends in the interest of the child,” said Mr Muchidha.

Makoni District Education Officer Mr Arkim Jiji said the security system needs revamping.

“You cannot have a situation where one person has access to firearms without the involvement of the administration and other witnesses. Such a system is prone to abuse as was the case. At least three people must be involved and the purpose for releasing the guns must be clearly spelt out and not left to speculation.

“Parents should not panic since safety and education of their children is our primary concern. We will ensure that the entire security system is revamped to ensure the safety of property and human life,” said Mr Jiji.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Enock Chishiri said investigations were continuing. Insp Chishiri said Zvikumva was wanted on murder and attempted murder charges.

He appealed to members of the public with information leading to his arrest to contact CID Rusape or any nearest police station. Manica Post