A HARARE-based engineering company and Lukhanyiso Primary School in Bulawayo are in a stand-off with the former refusing to release a 66-seater bus bought by the school.
Willovale Vehicle Body Engineering wants the school
authorities to issue a public apology for having claimed that the company sold
them a second-hand bus as a brand new vehicle.
The dispute resulted in the then headmaster Mr Thintitha
Mpofu and School Development Committee Mr Phethengani Nyoni being arrested
after they were reported to the police by parents.
Following the duo’s arrest, parents also set up an ad hoc
committee chaired by Mzilikazi district schools inspector Ms Zanele Muyambo.
In both instances, Messrs Mpofu and Nyoni were cleared.
However, Willovale Vehicle Body Engineering felt that their image was tarnished
following the unsubstantiated allegations.
On Friday parents met school authorities and resolved that
the school should take delivery of the bus which was returned to the company in
2019.
The company has however said it can only deliver the bus
after the parents make a public apology.
Company managing director Mr Silvester Matambo said the bus
had a 36 months guarantee just like all buses sold to other schools and
institutions.
He said the bus will not leave their workshop until there
is a written apology from the school.
“One thing to note is that the bus had a guarantee of 36
months. The problem with Lukhanyiso was that parents were misled by someone in
the school management that some bus funds were embezzled leading to internal
squabbles,” said Mr Matambo.
He said when the bus was delivered to the company in March
2019 for routine servicing, the company was later informed that the parents no
longer wanted the bus.
“The bus has been parked at our workshop since that time.
We need a written apology from the SDC for us to release the bus,” said Mr
Matambo.
He said their reputation was at stake following the
baseless allegations.
“The social media was abuzz with stories which tarnished
our image following this dispute with the school authorities,” said Mr Matambo.
He said when the school bought the bus for $120 000, the
company made it clear that it was a refurbished vehicle not a brand new one. Chronicle
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