Sobukhazi pupils locked in cage over unpaid fees

By Dumani Moyo

Pupils at a Bulawayo school whose parents have not paid fees have been spending the day in a fenced enclosure instead of attending lessons, Sunday News can reveal.

Officials at Sobukhazi High School are keeping the pupils at the enclosure which is popularly known as the “cage” until their fees is paid in full.

Parents and pupils, who spoke to this publication expressed their displeasure over the development, saying this had been going on for more than two weeks, with about 30 pupils being locked in the “cage” daily.

“What I understand is that all pupils who owe the institution have not been able to attend lessons. They would spend the whole day inside a cage until their mates dismiss. We are concerned because these affected pupils include some who are preparing for their final examinations.

“I think this is clear cruelty but you never know because institution policies differ from one institution to the next; we end up asking ourselves if the institution is going to educate only those who are capable of paying fees,” said one parent, who declined to be named.

When our news crew visited the institution on Wednesday last week, some pupils were inside the cage with a security guard monitoring the situation.

Pupils, who were once affected by this policy said the school officials did not allow their parents to make payment plans.

“I have been in the cage ever since schools opened and I now fear that by the time my parents manage to pay my fees in full, I will fail to catch up with the others,” said a Form Two pupil who was in the “cage”.

“I was once in that cage for some days last week. If you are put inside there, whether you have a genuine case or not, you are not allowed to go to the classroom for lessons. I was released after my parents had fully paid my fees. However, my friends have been forced by the situation not to come to school,” said a Form Three pupil.

Approached for a comment, Sobukhazi deputy head, a Mr C Ndlovu, was evasive and denied ever locking pupils in the “cage”.

“I am not allowed to talk to the Press and for your own information how do you think we can do such a thing. You reporters have a tendency of targeting Sobukhazi High of all these schools. You are probably doing this story for your own benefit. What I can tell you is that some students come to school in the afternoon, when they arrive before their lessons start we put them in the cage so that they do not disturb those who are already in class,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Mr Dan Moyo were fruitless as his phone went unanswered.

In a telephone interview, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora said he had not received any reports about the issue.

“I do not know anything about that. Honestly, in this age it is not a good thing to do such a thing to students especially for failing to pay fees. However, it is possible to have them put in a fence if they do not have infrastructure to accommodate them while waiting to attend lessons,” he said. Sunday News