Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Court Writer
IN a dramatic turn in the Founders High School US$600 fraud trial, co-accused Lazarus Moyo admitted in court that he received payment for plumbing work he never carried out.
Moyo is jointly charged with Founders High School deputy headmaster Nkosana Mlibazi. The pair appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea, facing allegations of defrauding the school of US$600 by claiming payment for plumbing repairs that were never undertaken.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Mr Milton Ncube asked Moyo whether it was a mistake to submit an invoice demanding US$600 for plumbing work he had not performed and subsequently received payment.
In response, Moyo conceded that it was a mistake.
“I had sent an invoice informing them that we would charge US$600, and we were paid. I don’t think there was a problem because the school owes us a lot of money,” he told the court.
Mr Ncube challenged the explanation, putting it to Moyo that he acted in common purpose with Mlibazi to defraud the school.
“After receiving the payment, you attended a meeting and failed to inform the complainant that you had been paid for a job you had not done. Are you lying to the school, or are you lying to this court?” asked Mr Ncube.
Moyo replied: “During that meeting, I forgot to inform them.”
The prosecutor told the court that in August last year, Founders High School realised US$16 000 from hosting guests of the Confederation of School Sports Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa), providing accommodation and meals during the tournament.
After settling all tournament-related expenses, the school banked the remaining funds. However, the court heard that a few days later, Mlibazi and Moyo allegedly conspired to generate fraudulent documents indicating that the school owed additional money.
They allegedly sourced a quotation dated August 24, 2024, after which Mlibazi authorised the release of US$600 to Moyo’s company for plumbing work purportedly carried out at one of the school hostels.
An investigation by the School Development Committee (SDC) later revealed that no plumbing work had been done. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the two accused.
