Chidawa, 36, and Clara Manyepera, 38, appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court, facing allegations of operating an illegal disciplinary camp in the affluent suburb of New Marlborough.
The pair are accused of running an unregistered private voluntary organisation (PVO) and impersonating child protection officers, raising serious questions about the legality and ethical implications of their operations.
According to the state, Chidawa and Manyepera established and operated the Matrix Disciplinary and Training Camp, located at 2165 Tokwane Close, without the necessary registration and licensing required by the Private Voluntary Organisations Act. The camp purportedly aimed to “rehabilitate” children with behavioural issues, with authorities claiming that the two began admitting youths into the facility on December 6, 2023.
Furthermore, prosecutors allege that the duo impersonated child protection officers during the camp’s operation. This involved offering services legally reserved for qualified individuals, including measures for observing and correcting behaviours contributing to delinquency, and providing counselling, supervision, and control.
By operating the camp unlawfully, Chidawa and Manyepera are accused of violating the Children’s Act, a serious offence that carries significant penalties. The state has indicated that it is in possession of video footage showing the pair conducting training sessions at the camp, which could prove to be crucial evidence in the case.
Chidawa and Manyepera appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court for their initial remand hearing. They were granted bail of US$300 each and are scheduled to return to court on April 20 for routine remand, as investigations continue.
The case has drawn significant attention, particularly given Chidawa’s previous brushes with the law and the sensitive nature of the allegations involving the welfare of children. The Matrix Disciplinary Training Camp has been generating considerable buzz on social media, with many expressing both support and concern for its methods.
Following his arrest, Chidawa has spoken out, refuting the allegations and clarifying that Matrix Disciplinary Camp is a legally registered company, not a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO). In a statement, he said: “Matrix Disciplinary Camp wishes to inform the public that it is a private company registered and operating in Zimbabwe, providing specialised training and disciplinary services. Contrary to recent misconceptions, Matrix Disciplinary Camp is not a Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) but a fully-fledged company that offers its services at a fee.”
Matrix Disciplinary Camp also sought to clarify the types of services it provides to its clients, stating: “We would like to assure our valued clients, stakeholders, and the general public that our services are professional, efficient, and tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients. We charge competitive fees for our services, which include: Disciplinary training programmes, Leadership development courses, Team-building exercises and Security services.”
Chidawa reassured clients that despite his arrest, Matrix Disciplinary Camp remains operational. “We believe in transparency and accountability, and we are committed to delivering exceptional services that meet the highest standards of quality and professionalism. Our operations are ongoing as usual. For more information about our services or to inquire about our fees, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your understanding and continued support,” the statement concluded.
However, the police have also weighed in on the matter. In December of last year, National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated that police were investigating the growing number of disciplinary camps in the country, with a particular focus on Matrix Disciplinary Camp.
“We need our police officers to go on the ground and find out the status of this thing which we are referring to, checking for things like, is it registered? Who is running it? So definitely, we need officers to go on the ground,” he said. “We need to check and ensure that the law takes its course on illegal activities, if any. The country has got laws to be observed that’s why I’m saying we need to check and find out if this Matrix is registered and operating in terms of the country’s laws.”
The disciplinary programme itself has been met with mixed reactions. Many parents believe it is a much-needed intervention, particularly given the rising issues of drug and substance abuse and moral decadence among teenagers. However, concerns have also been raised about children’s privacy and the methods employed by the camp.
The camp primarily targets teenagers aged seven to 24, addressing issues such as drug use, indiscipline, running away from home, theft, disrespect, and early engagement in sexual activities. A majority of these issues are linked to excessive drug use, a growing problem among Zimbabwean youth.
