Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu
A headmaster with St Rupert Mayer High School in Makonde is under fire for having allegedly misused over US$191 000.
The matter came light following an audit carried out between February 4 to 26 and covering the period from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2024.
The resolution is that the missing funds of US$191 338,59 be accounted for or be reimbursed by those in the wrong.
It is claimed that the headmaster, Kudzai Mudzingwa has been evasive avoiding to respond to the audit.
After the audit process was completed, the school head, her administration, and the bursar declined to respond to the questions and queries that were raised by the audit.
The sources also revealed that some reports have been written to ZACC and other authorities by a senior official at the school.
Sources said, she even took some leave days as a way to avoid responding to the audit.
According to some sources, the audit issue is topical with villagers and all who work in the Mission.
H-Metro is in possession of the audit’s report.
Contacted for comment, Mudzingwa didn’t respond to the questions put to her.
While, an authority at the school, Father Peter Musekiwa confirmed that it’s unfortunate that the issue has skipped the boundaries of the school.
He however, said, everything is being held by the senior authorities.
“Where did you get my number, and who gave you that information.
“It’s true that St Rupert Mayer High School which is under St Rupert Catholic Mission had an audit process during the period you mentioned.
“It is also true that the audit results were not favourable to the school as they indicated that there were a lot of disparities including the US$191 000 which you mentioned.
“However, the matter is being handled by the responsible authority.
“It is regrettable that the matter has already skipped the boundaries of the school.
“Did you manage to hear from the acting headmistress herself?”
A source said:
“The acting head was expected to respond to the audit report together with her administrative staff.
“Reports are that the head actually left the school a week after audit closure meeting done on 26 February.
“Specifically, she left on 5 March.
“A lot has been happening at the school and last week some students were stuck after issue of money arose.
“Most of the people around are aware of the missing money after the audit.
“We want some answers from the administration,” said the source.
In the audit report, it was revealed that, the school’s bursar purchased a racing bike which was put in name against the rules.
“There was an entry to the Master Asset Register and the Motor Bike was allocated to the Bursar.
“The details on the Invoice and delivery note 472 are for the School Bursar.
“Normally, School Assets are supposed to be indicated in the name of the Institution and not in the Employee name,” said part of the audit.
The audit also said:
“The Payment Voucher in use from 2019 to the present day was designed in such a way that it does not accommodate the relevant signatories to the Bank Account.
“Currently, all payments are being authorized by the Bursar, which is not proper.
“The Head and Deputy Head Signatures are not found on any of the payment vouchers.
“This is a serious irregularity.
“Most, if not all, payment vouchers filed lack the required supporting documents.
“80 percent of the payment vouchers do not have receipts attached to them.
“Supporting documents are mere materials that provide evidence or substantiation for claims made in legal motions or pleadings.
“It was observed that there was a diversion of solar electrical power from the school to the premises of the SDC Chairperson, Mr Chivhanga who resides close to the school yard.
“The school books of Accounts/ Records are not in good order hence anomalies noted above. It has taken long to come up with such a detailed Audit report because we were dealing with incomplete records and non- adherence to Accounting principles.
“There are no clear systems and controls that reduce the possibility of loss or errors. Some controls and systems have been recommended in this Report.
“There was a variance of usd$117 563.07 between recorded amounts in the Cash Analysis Book and the Payment Vouchers.
“The Head of the School has been ENTRUSTED with all authority, responsibility and accountability of the School by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Responsible Authority and the Parents.
“The Responsible Authority duties are: 1. To ensure that the school is registered 2. To ensure that the school is legally run i.e that they are run by democratically elected SDC 3. To ensure that the SDC comply with the requirements of the Education Act and Statutory Instrument 87 of 1992 4. To assist the SDC in the development of the school.”
