The Sunday News
MILTON High School head Mr William Ncube, who was suspended last year, is back at the helm of the school pending the outcome of his disciplinary hearing and has allegedly launched an onslaught on two teachers who instigated investigations into his conduct.
Mr Ncube and his deputy Mrs Nosizi Muleya — who is also Village Head Mudzengi of Chiredzi — were suspended in October last year after an audit exposed alleged financial rot at the school. They allegedly swindled the institution of more than $10 000 and routinely flouted sound governance procedures.
The two’s disciplinary hearings were held on 18 January and due to the expiry of their three months’ suspension were back in office on 25 January pending the outcome of the proceedings.
According to school sources, the embattled headmaster is alleged to have made his intentions clear when he got back, targeting the two teachers — Mr Thokozani Sigola and Mr Lovemore Mangwiro — who allegedly exposed his transgressions by compiling a dossier of the alleged offences which they submitted to the provincial education offices leading to a forensic audit which resulted in Mr Ncube’s suspension.
It is alleged within a week of being back in office, Mr Ncube stripped Mr Sigola and Mr Mangwiro of their positions as divisional heads for Form Three and Upper Six respectively and also demoted Mr Sigola from being the iSiNdebele subject head of department.
The two have also been removed from coaching any sporting disciplines in the school for what Mr Ncube has reportedly termed “disciplinary challenges”.
“Please be informed that Mr T Sigola and Mr L Mangwiro have been removed from coaching any sporting disciplines in the school for an indefinite period due to disciplinary challenges.
“May you identify responsible and disciplined staff members to replace them in the two areas, submit your proposed list via the deputy head’s office,” reads part of an internal memorandum sent to the school’s deputy head and the sports director.
Contacted for comment, the two affected teachers declined to comment referring this reporter to Mr Ncube.
Mr Ncube referred all questions to the provincial education office. “I have no comment on that matter,” he said.
Provincial education director Mr Dan Moyo said while he was aware that Mr Ncube and his deputy were back in office, he could not comment on the matter as it was highly confidential and sensitive.
“This matter is confidential and highly sensitive, I would rather prefer that the disciplinary proceedings come to an end first before I comment,” said Mr Moyo.
Teachers who spoke on condition of anonymity said ever since his return, Mr Ncube has launched an onslaught at the school saying he was going to “deal” with everyone who had led to his suspension.
“On his very first day back he held a staff meeting where he said he knew the people who had leaked information to the media claiming that those people had been given $183 to snitch on him.
“He further singled out Mr Sigola and Mr Mangwiro, saying they were the ones who had led to the ministry investigating him.
“Teachers are now eagerly awaiting the outcome of the hearing as they anticipate his eventual expulsion because life has turned into a nightmare at Milton,” said one teacher.
According to a letter dated 23 October 2015 outlining the charges against Mr Ncube and signed by the district education officer, Mrs Jane Ndebele, the ministry charged him with misconduct.
Mr Ncube was accused of authorising the construction of a boom gate, guardroom and painting of a classroom at a cost of $2 912 without holding finance committee meetings or following procurement procedures. He was also alleged to have authorised the installation of blinds and curtains at the school hall at a total cost of $3 245 without following procurement procedures.
He was also accused of sending an unreasonable number of people — seven — to collect a kombi in Beitbridge thereby unnecessarily prejudicing the school of $310. The school head was also accused of receiving management incentives of $350 after incentives had been banned.
Mr Ncube was further alleged to have also asked for an interest-free loan of $2 150 from the SDA account for a chess competition in Durban in November 2014 and repaid the money in February this year although terms and conditions for the loan were not spelt out.
The charge sheet shows that Mr Ncube, in addition to the loan, also asked for an additional $300 pocket money and $73 for health insurance from the same account to do National Association of Secondary School Heads business which was an unfair charge to the school.
Charges against his deputy Mrs Muleya are not clear.
