Headmaster steals school fees

INSTEAD of depositing about $600 into the school account, a cunning Binga headmaster withdrew the same amount and deposited it back, so as to be able to produce an authentic deposit slip and convert the cash to his own use.

His luck, however, ran out after an audit uncovered his devious act.

Killian Munkuli (43), a headmaster at Lubu Secondary School in Binga was arraigned before Binga resident magistrate Mrs Ailenne Munamati facing a charge of theft of trust property after stealing $609 in school funds.

State prosecutor, Mr Bruce Maphosa told the court that on 27 January this year Munkuli went to Binga Centre to deposit school funds, mostly fees amounting to $609 at Agribank.

When he got there, he withdrew the same amount from the school account before depositing it back.

He went on to squander the $609 he was supposed to deposit into the school account, before tendering in a receipt purportedly showing that he indeed had deposited the money.

However, his deal was bust on 21 July after an audit revealed Munkuli's offence, leading to his arrest.

Munkuli, who admitted to the charge, pleaded for leniency from the courts arguing that tough times had caused him to commit the offence.

"May the courts forgive me for the wrongdoing. I was in a financial crisis and desperation forced me to commit the offence," pleaded Munkuli.

Munamati remanded him to Friday for sentencing.