Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo has clarified that government schools may accept donations from politically exposed persons (PEPs) as long as the contributions follow established policy guidelines.Moyo was responding to former Member of Parliament Fadzayi Mahere, who questioned whether schools were allowed to solicit or accept support from PEPs. Her query followed a 16 September 2025 letter from Dudley Hall Primary School in Norton to businessman Wicknell Chivayo requesting assistance to build a learner hostel and purchase a school bus.In his response, Moyo said the Ministry does not ban donations from politically exposed individuals. “The Ministry does not explicitly prohibit donations from PEPs.
However, all donations, regardless of the donor’s political or social status, must be transparent, non-partisan, and in line with the Ministry’s governance and accountability standards,” he said.He added that schools must seek approval from relevant authorities before accepting major contributions. Moyo said all donations must support equitable access to education and uphold the neutrality of public schools.The Minister further explained that national procurement and public finance rules guide the acceptance of any contributions. He said Chivayo was approached simply because he is a former student of the school.
“The Ministry does not base its decisions on political affiliations… there’s nothing amiss about that,” he said.Mahere also asked whether an opposition-linked donor would be allowed to offer similar assistance. Moyo said the same rules would apply. “Yes, provided the donation adheres to the Ministry’s guidelines and does not seek to politicise the educational environment,” he said.Meanwhile, Chivayo responded publicly through a post on X, formerly Twitter, where he expressed surprise at the attention around the matter.
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“How did I miss this story?? Zvazvadai pane andidenha yangu mhinduro inobva mu gate guru saka inokurumudza,” he wrote.He went on to pledge a major financial contribution to the school. “CONGRATULATIONS DUDLEY HALL SCHOOL… 1 million USD is ready for you to use immediately,” he said, laying out conditions for the donation.
These include naming two planned dormitories Emmerson Dambudzo House and Auxillia House, and using specific construction companies and architects.Chivayo said the money would be handled through a trust account managed by any of three law firms—Dube, Manikai & Hwacha; Kantor & Immerman; or Gill, Godlonton & Gerrans—with an additional US$50,000 allocated to the chosen firm for oversight. He said the funds would be released within seven days once the school confirmed acceptance of his conditions.He also reiterated that the previously pledged 75-seater bus valued at US$21,000 was ready for collection. “Your bus can be collected on Sunday 14 December at Johane Masowe Gwanzura branch kwa Madzibaba Moses,” he wrote, specifying the required dress code for those collecting it.Chivayo ended his message with a religious note: “COURAGE BROTHER DO NOT STUMBLE… TRUST IN GOD AND DO THE RIGHT… AMEN.” Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo has clarified that government schools may accept donations from politically exposed persons (PEPs) as long as the contributions follow established policy guidelines.
Moyo was responding to former Member of Parliament Fadzayi Mahere, who questioned whether schools were allowed to solicit or accept support from PEPs. Her query followed a 16 September 2025 letter from Dudley Hall Primary School in Norton to businessman Wicknell Chivayo requesting assistance to build a learner hostel and purchase a school bus. In his response, Moyo said the Ministry does not ban donations from politically exposed individuals.
However, all donations, regardless of the donor’s political or social status, must be transparent, non-partisan, and in line with the Ministry’s governance and accountability standards,” he said. He added that schools must seek approval from relevant authorities before accepting major contributions. Moyo said all donations must support equitable access to education and uphold the neutrality of public schools.
The Minister further explained that national procurement and public finance rules guide the acceptance of any contributions. “The Ministry does not base its decisions on political affiliations… there’s nothing amiss about that,” he said. Mahere also asked whether an opposition-linked donor would be allowed to offer similar assistance.
“Yes, provided the donation adheres to the Ministry’s guidelines and does not seek to politicise the educational environment,” he said. Meanwhile, Chivayo responded publicly through a post on X, formerly Twitter, where he expressed surprise at the attention around the matter. Zvazvadai pane andidenha yangu mhinduro inobva mu gate guru saka inokurumudza,” he wrote.
He went on to pledge a major financial contribution to the school. These include naming two planned dormitories Emmerson Dambudzo House and Auxillia House, and using specific construction companies and architects. Chivayo said the money would be handled through a trust account managed by any of three law firms—Dube, Manikai & Hwacha; Kantor & Immerman; or Gill, Godlonton & Gerrans—with an additional US$50,000 allocated to the chosen firm for oversight.
He said the funds would be released within seven days once the school confirmed acceptance of his conditions. He also reiterated that the previously pledged 75-seater bus valued at US$21,000 was ready for collection. “Your bus can be collected on Sunday 14 December at Johane Masowe Gwanzura branch kwa Madzibaba Moses,” he wrote, specifying the required dress code for those collecting it.
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