adminmeant for buying a school bus.
Tirivangani Jonakondo (37) who heads Barwick Primary School was yesterday brought to court facing fraud charges.
He was not asked to plead to the charge when he appeared before magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei who remanded him to November 14 on US$500 bail with some conditions.
He was ordered to surrender his travel documents and to continue residing at the given address. Jonakondo was also ordered not to interfere with witnesses.
According to the State’s case, the school is run by a board of governors that has the mandate to carry out some activities on behalf of the school including procurement.
Circumstances surrounding the matter are that on April 1 this year, the school had a loan facility of US$250 000 from Banc ABC meant for buying the school bus.
Prosecutor Ms Molyn Mutamangira alleges that on April 21, the same facility was raised to US$400 000 since the funds were not enough for the school requirements.
It is the state’s case that Jonakondo produced a fake document styled as an extract from the board, which permitted the chairman, Ndoisile Zvikaramba, and his deputy Debra Maruto to sign for the upgrade of the existing facility to US$600 000.
The court heard that Jonakondo then signed the document on behalf of Zvikaramba without his consent.
It is further alleged that on June 15 this year Jonakondo presented the fraudulent document to officials at Banc ABC who approved the loan application and he was given US$200 000. The accused allegedly used US$25 000 to buy himself a motor vehicle, the court heard.
Jonakondo then extended the remainder to other staff members ranging fromUS$7 000 to US$15 000.
This resulted in 25 teachers buying motor vehicles.
Barwick Primary School was prejudiced US$200 000.
Online Reporter