Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
A FOUNDERS High School deputy head has swapped his office chair for a prison mattress after he was busted in a dirty deal involving COSSASA Games money.
Nkosana Mlibazi, the deputy head at the famous Bulawayo school, was yesterday convicted together with contractor Lazarus Moyo and their company Lazaco Engineers after fleecing US$600 meant for school games.
The pair cooked up fake quotations and receipts, pretending that Lazaco Engineers had supplied materials and done repairs at the school during the 2024 COSSASA Games.
But investigators exposed the scam and discovered that no work was ever done.
Instead, a caretaker had bought and installed the equipment on his own while the two pocketed the cash.
The court heard that between August and September 2024, Founders High raked in a massive US$16 070 from hosting the prestigious COSSASA Games.
Mlibazi was trusted with the funds but chose to turn the sports fiesta into a personal payday.
He teamed up with Moyo and submitted fake reports to school authorities, claiming Lazaco Engineers had done the job.
The lies collapsed when investigators followed the paper trail and uncovered the ghost project.
The two men were dragged before the Tredgold Magistrates Court where they were convicted of fraud.
Mlibazi and Moyo were each sentenced to eight months in jail.
Two months were suspended for five years.
Another two months were suspended on condition they pay a US$200 fine and refund US$200 to the school.
The remaining four months were suspended on condition they complete 140 hours of community service.
Their company Lazaco Engineers was slapped with a US$200 fine and ordered to pay back US$200.
The court said the sentence sends a strong message to those who think school funds are free money.
Londile Moyo