Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Court Writer
THE trial that involves Founders High School deputy headmaster, Mr Nkosana Mlibazi, and his co-accused, Lazarus Moyo, over fraud charges has commenced at the Bulawayo magistrates’ courts.
Mr Mlibazi and Mr Moyo appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate, Mr Richard Ramaboea, yesterday, facing allegations of defrauding the school of about US$600.
The pair pleaded not guilty to the charges.
They were represented by their lawyer, Mr Byron Sengweni of Sengweni Legal Practice.
Prosecuting, Mr Milton Moyo told the court that Founders High School raised US$16 000 after providing accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner to the Confederation of School Sports Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) guests.
“After the Cossasa tournament, the school paid all expenses incurred, the court heard. Founders High School banked the money, but after a couple of days, Mlibazi and Moyo allegedly connived and came up with fake receipts showing that the school owed extra expenses, which totalled US$600 for the items they took on credit from Moyo’s company,” said Mr Moyo.
The pair allegedly sourced a quotation dated August 24, 2024, after which Mlibazi allegedly facilitated the payment of US$600 to Moyo’s company.
Following the development, investigations were carried out and revealed that there were no extra expenses that were incurred.
The matter was reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), leading to the arrest of the accused persons.
State witness, Mr Dumisani Ncube, a School Development Committee (SDC) chair for Founders High School, testified and said: “Last year, at a date I can’t recall, officials from Confederation of Schools Sports Association of Southern Africa (Cossasa) games were at Founders High School provided accommodation, breakfast and lunch during the competition.
“The accused Mr Mlibazi, did not inform the school authorities and School Development Committee (SDC) as he kept the deal a secret.”
Mr Ncube told the court that his committee got suspicious, prompting them to write a letter to the school authorities asking how much was raised through the hire, but they got an unsatisfactory answer.
He said that after they checked where Mr Moyo and Mlibazi claimed to have carried out the job, they were shocked to find that there was no such job done.
Mr Ncube said that after that, they asked for receipts and quotations; the money recorded on the receipts and quotations did not tally.
“The amounts on the receipts did not tally and receipts showed that money was paid for repairs while the quotation showed payment made to suppliers,” said Mr Ncube.
“In one of the receipts, they claimed to have bought an armoured cable, but they did not. If such a cable is needed, it would be for a big project, not to be done by an engineer like Mr Moyo, but to be done by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.”
Mr Ncube told the court that according to the school’s Standard Operating Procedure, Mr Mlibazi is not allowed to handle school funds, which is the role of the bursar.
During cross-examination, Mr Sengweni asked Mr Ncube why there were striking similarities between his statement and that of Ms Dorothy Moyo, who is a Founders High School employee.
“Did Dorothy tell you what to write?” he asked. To which Mr Ncube said: “I didn’t see her statement. It’s better if you ask her.”
Mr Sengweni responded by saying: “It is impossible for two different people to have similar statements. Were you not influenced by Mrs Moyo and a Zacc official?” he further asked.
The trial has been postponed to November 27.
