Deputy head disappears with exam fees

Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
PARENTS at Chamakanda Secondary School in Chirumhanzu are not amused after a deputy headmaster at the school squandered their children’s Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) November examination fees before fleeing to Harare to evade arrest, leaving 25 candidates stranded. The deputy head, Richard Makuwerere, has gone into hiding after allegedly stealing $2 585 which pupils had paid for their November examination fees.
Makuwerere also swindled villagers in surrounding areas of their cattle promising that he would pay them back.

A teacher at the school who declined to be named alleged that Makuwerere stole the $2 585 which the school had received as examination fees, and another $871 paid by the children as school fees and fled to Harare.

“Makuwerere received examination fees for 25 candidates on behalf of the school. He took it and converted it to personal use. He opened an Econet shop and registered as an EcoCash agent with the money.

“He also took villagers’ cattle promising to pay them but he disappeared without paying for the beasts,” said the teacher.
The teacher alleged that the matter came to light last week when the school wanted to pay for the examination fees for the 25 children and Makuwerere could not produce it.
Makuwerere is said to have attempted to commit suicide by downing poison when the matter came to light. He was, however, restrained by his wife.
“Makuwerere tried to commit suicide when he attempted to drink a bottle of pesticide but was restrained by his wife.

“He then left the school and is said to be in Harare where he is staying with a relative who is believed to be a policeman based at Harare Central Police Station,” said the teacher.
The source added that the matter was reported to the police.

“The matter was reported to police CID serious fraud,” said the teacher.
Ward 11 Councillor Gabriel Mavezera confirmed that Makuwerere had disappeared with the children’s examination fees.

“I can confirm that we are missing funds at Chamakanda Secondary School. I was approached by parents who were complaining that the deputy headmaster at the school had disappeared with their children’s examination fees. Chamakanda Secondary school is a council-run school and we have reported the matter to the police,” he said.
Midlands provincial education director Mrs Agnes Gudo could neither deny nor confirm the matter.

“I have not been in the office for the past two weeks so I am yet to be briefed by my deputies. I will be able to comment on the matter once I have full details regarding the issue,” she said.