adminMidlands Correspondent
A Gweru man who took advantage of congestion and commotion during students’ registration at Midlands State University and masqueraded as a university official before defrauding five students was yesterday convicted of fraud by a Gweru magistrate.
Richard Paraffin (34) pleaded guilty to defrauding five MSU students of about $3 000 before Gweru magistrate Ms Sithembiso Ncube.
He was sentenced to 24 months in prison.
Six months were suspended on condition he restitutes $2 920 to the students.
The other 18 months were suspended on condition that he performs 630 hours of community service at Senga Secondary School in Senga suburb in Gweru.
For the State, Miss Helen Khosa told the court that on 2 July this year, and at MSU, Paraffin took advantage of students who were queuing to pay their fees.
Miss Khosa said Paraffin approached one of the students, Miss Muchaneta Magada and was given $700 on the pretext that he would pay the fees on her behalf.
Paraffin, however, did not return with the receipt as proof of payment.
The court was told that he approached four more students and took their fees promising to pay on their behalf at the bursar’s office.
He failed to bring receipts as promised.
Paraffin then disappeared with the money resulting in the five students reporting the matter to the police.
Investigations led to the arrest of Paraffin.
The students lost a total of $2 920 and nothing was recovered.
Online Reporter