Zimbabwe Moot Court coach Dube accused of fleecing parents

Harare- THE head coach of the Zimbabwe Moot Court team Nqobile Dube is alleged to have fleeced parents pocketing over US$1000 in the process,Express Mail Zim can reveal.

The team recently flew the country’s flag high and were crowned International Moot Court champions.

Disgruntled parents told Express Mail Zim Wednesday that Dube misrepresented to them that they had to fork out US$100 each as “registration fees” and to supplement travelling costs.

This was however disputed by one of the organisers Debra Lesser in an email gleaned by this publication after a parent had enquired.

“We do not charge any fee for the participation in the JRC international moot Court competition 2022,” read the email authored by Lesser .

She also said all expenses were covered for and paid in Euro currency.

Through his company Ideas Matter, Dube is also accused of un procedurally including his wife as part of the team as a chaperone.

“He skillfully included his wife as part of the delegation after misrepresenting on the ratio of chaperone to students.

“This was to justify the bloated delegation that included his wife and parents had to foot her flight cost,” said our impeccable source.

Dube did not respond to questions sent to him and his mobile phone went unanswered at the time of writing.

The Moot Court is a simulation of actual court proceedings whereby participants are treated to a fictitious case and argue on the merits as the prosecution and defence.

The Dube led 11-member Zimbabwe National High School Moot Court squad beat 15 other teams from Romania, Poland, Scotland, Bulgaria, US and other countries.

The debaters made up of nine girls and two boys from Peterhouse, Dominican Convent, Midlands Christian College and Arundel made history for winning their debut competition.

The Zimbabwean team has been invited to participate in the European Moot Court and Zimbabwe will be the first African country to participate at the event.

The team was made up of Hazel Chiige, Palesa Sigauke, Ruvimbo Simbi (squad leader), Karl Makahamadze, Kudzaishe Makoni, Rosa Choto Gwisai, Chiyevo Mukonoweshure, Tadiwanashe Choto, Kuziva Khuleya, Sharon Marangwanda and Selumeli Angelinah Thulo.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa hailed the young debaters for flying the country’s flag.

The team received US$30 000 cash and parents hope there will be transparency in the disbursement of the funds.