Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE head and deputy head of a secondary school in Chiredzi District have been sentenced to 420 hours of community service for unlawfully including their children on the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM).
The two were arraigned before the Triangle Magistrates’ Court on criminal abuse of duty charges.
They were both convicted and sentenced to 20 months in prison of which 6 months were suspended for 5 years.
A further 2 months were suspended on condition that they reimburse the Social Services Department.
The remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that the accused persons perform 420 hours of community service.
It is the State’s case that the Criminal Investigation Department from Triangle received an anonymous letter to the effect that the duo had included their children on the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) programme without following due procedure.
The court heard that investigations were conducted leading to the two’s arrest. According to the State the two men deprived the Social Services Department of US$120 each for the year 2022.



