News / National
School loses $10 000 to SDC pair
17 May 2016 at 07:14hrs | Views
THE Houghton Park Primary School Development Committee chairman and his deputy appeared in court yesterday for allegedly duping the learning institution of $9 500.
Tendai Mukuruva (41) and his vice Blessed Makurumure (46) allegedly swindled the money under the pretext of helping the school clear water bills and rates amounting to about $32 000.
The pair appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe facing fraud charges.
They were remanded to June 14 on $50 bail each.
Mr Mahwe ordered the pair to reside at their given addresses and not to interfere with State witnesses.
Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa told the court that Mukuruva was also a consultant for Delta Beverages' Chibuku Breweries while Makurumure is a self- employed fitter and turner.
It is alleged that sometime in April last year Mukuruva and Makurumure were selected into the school SDC committee.
During the same time, the school had water and rates bill debts amounting to $32 211, 07. Makurumure allegedly volunteered to negotiate with City of Harare on behalf of the school for the reduction or writing off of the debt.
Makurumure was officially tasked by the school board to carry out the negotiations.
On September 2 last year Mukuruva advised the headmaster, Mr Nepia Nyika, that the process of clearing the debt was almost through but City of Harare required $9 500 to offset the debt.
He allegedly offered his personal funds to clear the debt and be refunded later.
The headmaster agreed but asked him to bring a receipt.
The following day Mr Nyika was advised that the money had been paid and the pair produced a receipt to back their claim.
Mukuruva demanded his money back and Mr Nyika asked to meet him at BancABC Leopold Takawira branch.
Mr Nyika was accompanied by the school SDC's bursar, Ms Nomsa Shungu.
Mukuruva gave Mr Nyika a handwritten receipt bearing City of Harare details prompting the headmaster to withdraw $9 500 which he handed over to Mukuruva.
It is alleged that on May 13 this year Mr Nyika received a tip-off that nothing was paid to City of Harare and the receipt does not appear in their system.
Mr Nyika proceeded to City of Harare Rowen Martin offices and was given a statement, which showed that no money had been piid by the school.
The school lost $9 500 and nothing was recovered.
Tendai Mukuruva (41) and his vice Blessed Makurumure (46) allegedly swindled the money under the pretext of helping the school clear water bills and rates amounting to about $32 000.
The pair appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe facing fraud charges.
They were remanded to June 14 on $50 bail each.
Mr Mahwe ordered the pair to reside at their given addresses and not to interfere with State witnesses.
Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa told the court that Mukuruva was also a consultant for Delta Beverages' Chibuku Breweries while Makurumure is a self- employed fitter and turner.
It is alleged that sometime in April last year Mukuruva and Makurumure were selected into the school SDC committee.
During the same time, the school had water and rates bill debts amounting to $32 211, 07. Makurumure allegedly volunteered to negotiate with City of Harare on behalf of the school for the reduction or writing off of the debt.
Makurumure was officially tasked by the school board to carry out the negotiations.
On September 2 last year Mukuruva advised the headmaster, Mr Nepia Nyika, that the process of clearing the debt was almost through but City of Harare required $9 500 to offset the debt.
He allegedly offered his personal funds to clear the debt and be refunded later.
The headmaster agreed but asked him to bring a receipt.
The following day Mr Nyika was advised that the money had been paid and the pair produced a receipt to back their claim.
Mukuruva demanded his money back and Mr Nyika asked to meet him at BancABC Leopold Takawira branch.
Mr Nyika was accompanied by the school SDC's bursar, Ms Nomsa Shungu.
Mukuruva gave Mr Nyika a handwritten receipt bearing City of Harare details prompting the headmaster to withdraw $9 500 which he handed over to Mukuruva.
It is alleged that on May 13 this year Mr Nyika received a tip-off that nothing was paid to City of Harare and the receipt does not appear in their system.
Mr Nyika proceeded to City of Harare Rowen Martin offices and was given a statement, which showed that no money had been piid by the school.
The school lost $9 500 and nothing was recovered.
Source - the herald
