Implicated salary officer relocates

Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
An Eaglesvale Senior School salaries officer, Cheryl Botha, accused together with the headmaster and bursar of embezzling over $800 000, yesterday sought relaxation of her bail conditions after relocating to Masvingo.

Botha (54) is jointly charged with the headmaster, Naison Tirivari (60) and bursar Charles Shokobishi (57). Botha used to stay at the school, but told the court that she had since moved to Masvingo.

“It has become cumbersome to continue reporting at CID Harare. I am now staying in Masvingo at number 44 Conamara Clipsham,” she said.

Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe remanded the matter to November 30 and ordered Botha to now report every Friday at CID Masvingo. It is alleged that Botha, Tirivari and Shokobishi encashed their leave days and awarded themselves allowances without the approval of the board.

The trio was released on $1 000 bail each. The court heard that sometime last year Eaglesvale Senior School’s board members held a meeting to look at the school’s financial records.

A forensic audit was carried out which established that Botha improperly encashed her annual leave days.

It was also discovered that Botha entered varying amounts on other staff members as cash in lieu of leave on the payroll sent for authorisation.

Once the authorisation was obtained from the headmaster, Botha would then alter the electronic payroll to have the cash in lieu of leave allocated to her pay.

Botha allegedly effected payment through her CBZ account 008920804980033.

It is alleged that Botha overstated her bonus from 2011 to 2014 totalling $518 007, 58.

The headmaster Tirivari, who doubled as a Mathematics and Thinking Skills teacher, authorised and approved his cash in lieu of leave days amounting to $135 377, 50. He also received unapproved termly allowances amounting to $13 366 without the board’s knowledge.

Tirivari allegedly swindled the school of $148 743. The bursar, Shokobishi, is accused of conniving with Tirivari and receiving $19 903 for 225 leave days, contrary to his employment contract.

The school lost $873 840, 56 and nothing was recovered.