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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
A BURSAR at Thekwane High School in Bulilima District has been arrested for stealing $336 from the school.
Fortune Sibanda (42) was convicted on his own plea of guilty to theft by Plumtree magistrate, Mr Joshua Mawere.
He was fined $100 or sentenced to 30 days imprisonment in case of default.
Sibanda was also ordered restitute the $336 by May 30 or he will spend two months in prison if he defaults.
Prosecuting, Mrs Rose Sibanda said Sibanda stole the money on April 27 after he had been sent by the school to buy tiles from a Bulawayo shop.
She said Sibanda was given a discount of $508 after purchasing the tiles but only surrendered $172 back to the school and pocketed the rest.
“On 25 April the school made a transaction of tiles worth $2 448 at the Bathroom Boutique Tile Shop in Bulawayo. On 27 April Sibanda who is the school bursar was assigned to collect the tiles and he was given $508 as discount for the school.
“Sibanda forged a receipt where he stated that the school had been given a discount of $172 and he pocketed the remaining $336,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda said on May 2 the school principal, Mr Nkosilathi Ndlovu was going through the records when he realised that the receipt which Sibanda had brought had an anomaly.
She said Mr Ndlovu went to Bathroom Boutique Tile Shop to inquire about the receipt and the manager said it had not been issued by his company.
Mrs Sibanda said Mr Ndlovu then discovered that they had been given a $508 discount and not $172 as had been claimed by the bursar.
Mrs Sibanda said the matter was reported to the police resulting in Sibanda’s arrest, but the stolen money was not recovered.
In mitigation, Sibanda said he stole the money as he wanted to use it intending to pay it back after receiving his salary.
“I was desperate for money that is why I converted the school funds for my personal use. I was to return the money after receiving my salary but unfortunately I was arrested before I was paid,” he said.
— @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter