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Headmaster jailed for embezzling pupils' exam fees
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A Bindura headmaster has been sentenced for misappropriating funds meant for pupils' examinations. Kudakwashe Tivarige (35), head of Sunrise Group of Schools in Maravanyika Village under Chief Masembura, was convicted by the Bindura Magistrates' Court of Theft of Trust Property after diverting US$792 intended for 2025 Grade Seven exams.
Between February 2024 and January 2025, 12 pupils paid their Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) fees through the school's accounts office. Sunrise Group of Schools, not being a registered exam centre, had instructed Tivarige to register the pupils at Dengu Primary School. Instead, he allegedly pocketed the funds and falsely claimed the children had been registered at Maravanyika Primary School.
The fraud came to light when school director Martha Masiachengo cross-checked with ZIMSEC and discovered the pupils were not registered. A police report was subsequently filed at ZRP Manhenga, leading to Tivarige's arrest.
The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison, with three months suspended for good behaviour, another three months suspended on the condition that he restitutes the stolen funds, and the remaining six months converted to 245 hours of community service at Manhenga Clinic.
Between February 2024 and January 2025, 12 pupils paid their Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) fees through the school's accounts office. Sunrise Group of Schools, not being a registered exam centre, had instructed Tivarige to register the pupils at Dengu Primary School. Instead, he allegedly pocketed the funds and falsely claimed the children had been registered at Maravanyika Primary School.
The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison, with three months suspended for good behaviour, another three months suspended on the condition that he restitutes the stolen funds, and the remaining six months converted to 245 hours of community service at Manhenga Clinic.
Source - online
