Parents at Insukamini Primary School in Bulawayo say they fear losing their property after receiving letters demanding payment of outstanding school fees and levies.
The school has engaged Legal Wise, a debt recovery firm, to pursue parents over the alleged debts.
The letters, dated 22 July 2026, give parents seven days to settle the amounts owed or face legal action.
The letters warn that failure to pay could result in legal proceedings, including a warrant of execution against a parent’s property.
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“We are instructed by our above named client to institute Legal Proceedings against you to the sum of $……… This is in respect of School Fee and Levy for…… Class…… This sum is inclusive of Legal Costs and our Collection Fees,” one of the letters says.
Legal Wise says it works with legal experts to recover debts through the Magistrates’ Courts and the Messenger of Court in Zimbabwe.
The firm told parents that it was authorised to pursue the debts through the Magistrates’ Court and the Messenger of Court in Bulawayo.
The letters also instruct parents to make payments through a Legal Wise agent and the school.
One parent, who asked not to be named, said she received the letters through her children without first being called to discuss the alleged debt with the school.
“My two children came with these letters at home. The school didn’t even summon us for any meeting at the school,” she said.
“They said they will take our property. They even sent the letters to our mobile phones.”
The parent said the presence of vehicle recovery agents at the school had added to parents’ concerns.
“We didn’t sign anything. Even the vehicles at the school premises have property. Our children were given these letters before school closed. Some parents were given the letters during the consultation day,” she said.
Parents are seeking clarification from the school and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on the debt recovery process, including whether schools can engage debt collectors to recover unpaid fees and levies.
The ministry’s director of communications and advocacy, Taungana Ndoro, said there was nothing wrong with using debt collectors to recover outstanding fees.
“It’s a civil matter. If you pay your fees, you don’t attract trouble,” Ndoro said.
The school had not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
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