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Funds embezzlement scandal at Khumalo Primary School
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Khumalo Primary School headmistress Stella Mhlanga and two other school officials are facing allegations of embezzling US$12,000 from the school's funds through under-banking and other fraudulent activities.
The police and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education have launched investigations into the matter after the School Development Committee (SDC) formally reported the suspected financial misconduct.
Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Bernard Mazambani confirmed that the SDC had reported the case, prompting an official probe.
"We have received a report of suspected funds embezzlement at Khumalo Primary School. We are still treating the report as allegations until our auditors have thoroughly reviewed the school's financial records and confirmed the claims," Mazambani stated.
"We will be dispatching our auditors to the school next week to determine the extent of the alleged misappropriation of funds. A comprehensive statement will be released after the audit."
The SDC, through its treasurer Vimbai Rudenya, has also reported the case to the Commercial Crime Unit under case number CRB 6312/025.
"Yes, it is true that I reported a case of suspected embezzlement at the school. For example, we discovered that school funds were not banked even when the accused had signed for the money in the school's daily banking book," said Rudenya.
According to the Education Act (Chapter 25:04), the headmistress is responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records, including accounts, ledgers, and other financial statements. The Act also mandates that school heads exercise strict financial control to ensure funds are not misused.
Mhlanga, along with SDC bursar Rumbidzai Magwaku and senior teacher Nombulelo Maiswa, is also suspected of misappropriating the school's funds.
"There were instances where no banking records were entered in the school's master banking book, yet strange deposits appeared in the school's account. This clearly shows financial irregularities," a source at the school revealed.
When reached for comment, Magwaku acknowledged the allegations but claimed she was unaware of the specific figures involved.
"I cannot give you a comment because I am not aware of the figures. I am even shocked that you are calling me. What are you going to do with this information?" she asked.
Maiswa declined to comment, stating, "You are disturbing me. I am in a lesson," before hanging up.
Mhlanga did not respond to multiple calls.
This is not Mhlanga's first brush with controversy. In 2015, when she was the head of Magwegwe Government Primary School, she made headlines after anti-riot police were called in to control angry parents protesting against her policies. Parents accused her of forcing students to buy uniforms exclusively from a specific retail outlet, and over 100 guardians demanded her dismissal, with some threatening to assault her.
She was also accused of running the school in a dictatorial manner, ignoring parental concerns.
More recently, in 2023, she was at the center of another scandal after being accused of corruption and assaulting a fellow teacher. The allegations led to her suspension from August 14 to November 4 last year, pending a disciplinary hearing. During her suspension, the Ministry appointed deputy head Eneles Sibanda as the acting head.
However, Mhlanga's reinstatement on September 4 raised eyebrows. The Ministry had scheduled her disciplinary hearing for August 29, but the case did not proceed after the chairman of the disciplinary committee, Lameck Mudyiwa, failed to show up under unclear circumstances.
Adding to her history of controversy, about three years ago, Mhlanga's nude photograph accidentally surfaced on social media after she mistakenly posted it on her WhatsApp status. The image quickly went viral, further damaging her reputation.
With the latest allegations of financial misconduct, Mhlanga finds herself once again at the center of scandal, and the outcome of the ongoing investigations will determine whether she remains in her position or faces legal consequences.
The police and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education have launched investigations into the matter after the School Development Committee (SDC) formally reported the suspected financial misconduct.
Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Bernard Mazambani confirmed that the SDC had reported the case, prompting an official probe.
"We have received a report of suspected funds embezzlement at Khumalo Primary School. We are still treating the report as allegations until our auditors have thoroughly reviewed the school's financial records and confirmed the claims," Mazambani stated.
"We will be dispatching our auditors to the school next week to determine the extent of the alleged misappropriation of funds. A comprehensive statement will be released after the audit."
The SDC, through its treasurer Vimbai Rudenya, has also reported the case to the Commercial Crime Unit under case number CRB 6312/025.
"Yes, it is true that I reported a case of suspected embezzlement at the school. For example, we discovered that school funds were not banked even when the accused had signed for the money in the school's daily banking book," said Rudenya.
According to the Education Act (Chapter 25:04), the headmistress is responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records, including accounts, ledgers, and other financial statements. The Act also mandates that school heads exercise strict financial control to ensure funds are not misused.
Mhlanga, along with SDC bursar Rumbidzai Magwaku and senior teacher Nombulelo Maiswa, is also suspected of misappropriating the school's funds.
"There were instances where no banking records were entered in the school's master banking book, yet strange deposits appeared in the school's account. This clearly shows financial irregularities," a source at the school revealed.
When reached for comment, Magwaku acknowledged the allegations but claimed she was unaware of the specific figures involved.
"I cannot give you a comment because I am not aware of the figures. I am even shocked that you are calling me. What are you going to do with this information?" she asked.
Maiswa declined to comment, stating, "You are disturbing me. I am in a lesson," before hanging up.
Mhlanga did not respond to multiple calls.
This is not Mhlanga's first brush with controversy. In 2015, when she was the head of Magwegwe Government Primary School, she made headlines after anti-riot police were called in to control angry parents protesting against her policies. Parents accused her of forcing students to buy uniforms exclusively from a specific retail outlet, and over 100 guardians demanded her dismissal, with some threatening to assault her.
She was also accused of running the school in a dictatorial manner, ignoring parental concerns.
More recently, in 2023, she was at the center of another scandal after being accused of corruption and assaulting a fellow teacher. The allegations led to her suspension from August 14 to November 4 last year, pending a disciplinary hearing. During her suspension, the Ministry appointed deputy head Eneles Sibanda as the acting head.
However, Mhlanga's reinstatement on September 4 raised eyebrows. The Ministry had scheduled her disciplinary hearing for August 29, but the case did not proceed after the chairman of the disciplinary committee, Lameck Mudyiwa, failed to show up under unclear circumstances.
Adding to her history of controversy, about three years ago, Mhlanga's nude photograph accidentally surfaced on social media after she mistakenly posted it on her WhatsApp status. The image quickly went viral, further damaging her reputation.
With the latest allegations of financial misconduct, Mhlanga finds herself once again at the center of scandal, and the outcome of the ongoing investigations will determine whether she remains in her position or faces legal consequences.
Source - Byo24News
