adminA Tendai GukutikwaPost Correspondent
75-YEAR-OLD Chitungwiza man masqueraded as a Mutare high school teacher and defrauded local shops.
Never Sithole of Number 8237, Manyame Park, Chitungwiza had to be remanded from his hospital bed at Mutare Provincial Hospital after he suddenly fell ill while in police custody.
He appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura from his hospital bed at Mutare Provincial Hospital last Thursday. Sithole was not asked to plead, but was initially remanded to March 3. He was remanded out of custody on his own cognisance. Public Prosecutor, Mr Fletcher Karombe, alleged that Sithole masqueraded as a Sakubva 1 High School teacher and approached Mega Market in Mutare and placed some orders. He produced a fake invoice for goods he wanted to be delivered to the school.
Acting on the misrepresentation, Diana Saurombe and Shadreck Makuvaza, employees of Mega Market allegedly loaded the goods into a company vehicle, a Toyota Surf and delivered them to Sakubva 1 High School. The goods included 36 litres Mazoe Orange Crush, 36 litres Blackberry Mazoe, two trays of eggs, 20kgs of sugar, two litres of cooking oil, 2kgs Bella spaghetti and 28kgs Mega rice.
“The two proceeded to Sakubva 1 High School with the goods. When they arrived, they demanded to see the school head first. Sithole is further misrepresented that he was the teacher-in-charge as the headmaster was away. He said he was responsible for receiving school orders.
“Saurombe then requested to see the bursar, but was turned down again. Sithole indicated that the school head had locked all the school money as he was attending a meeting at the Ministry of Education offices,” said Mr Karombe.
He gave her the head’s phone number which was unreachable when Saurombe tried to call him on countless occasions.
At that moment, the school head, Mr Abisha Mupita, arrived. He was approached by Saurombe who asked him whether he had made an order on behalf of the school and he replied in the negative.
Mupita also said the address on the given invoice was fake. Mr Mupita also conducted the headmaster of Sakubva 2 High School also said they had not ordered anything from Mega Market. Sithole was subsequently arrested.
Online Reporter