News / National
Suspended headmistress acquitted of embezzlement charges
34 mins ago |
78 Views
Bulawayo magistrate Richard Ramaboea has acquitted suspended Kumalo Primary School headmistress Stella Mhlanga of all criminal charges relating to the alleged embezzlement of school funds, bringing an end to a case that has dominated the local education sector for months.
Mhlanga, who was relieved of her duties in July 2025 amid allegations of misappropriating thousands of dollars intended for school development, faced accusations that she, along with four other staff members, defrauded the school of more than US$12 000.
In his judgment, Magistrate Ramaboea noted that the State had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. "The prosecution's evidence was riddled with inconsistencies, lacked proper documentation, and relied heavily on unsubstantiated assumptions rather than concrete proof," he said.
During the trial, several teachers and School Development Committee (SDC) members testified, but most were unable to provide definitive proof that Mhlanga personally handled or diverted the alleged funds. Financial audit documents presented in court also failed to link the missing amounts to her directly.
The matter came to light earlier this year when the SDC flagged inconsistencies in the school's financial records, prompting a government-led audit. The audit reportedly uncovered irregularities involving multiple staff members. Police had alleged that Mhlanga signed for US$7 835 in levy payments but only banked US$2 727, with the remainder unaccounted for. Other staff members were also implicated in various discrepancies.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele had previously detailed how the alleged fraud was uncovered, citing a government bursar workshop in Inyathi where unbalanced books raised suspicions.
Under the Education Act (Chapter 25:04), school heads are mandated to maintain accurate financial records and exercise strict control over school funds. However, the court's ruling cleared Mhlanga of any wrongdoing, highlighting the insufficiency of evidence to support the prosecution's claims.
The acquittal ends months of uncertainty for Mhlanga, whose reputation had been under intense scrutiny, and underscores the importance of rigorous evidence in financial misconduct cases within the education sector.
Mhlanga, who was relieved of her duties in July 2025 amid allegations of misappropriating thousands of dollars intended for school development, faced accusations that she, along with four other staff members, defrauded the school of more than US$12 000.
In his judgment, Magistrate Ramaboea noted that the State had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. "The prosecution's evidence was riddled with inconsistencies, lacked proper documentation, and relied heavily on unsubstantiated assumptions rather than concrete proof," he said.
During the trial, several teachers and School Development Committee (SDC) members testified, but most were unable to provide definitive proof that Mhlanga personally handled or diverted the alleged funds. Financial audit documents presented in court also failed to link the missing amounts to her directly.
The matter came to light earlier this year when the SDC flagged inconsistencies in the school's financial records, prompting a government-led audit. The audit reportedly uncovered irregularities involving multiple staff members. Police had alleged that Mhlanga signed for US$7 835 in levy payments but only banked US$2 727, with the remainder unaccounted for. Other staff members were also implicated in various discrepancies.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele had previously detailed how the alleged fraud was uncovered, citing a government bursar workshop in Inyathi where unbalanced books raised suspicions.
Under the Education Act (Chapter 25:04), school heads are mandated to maintain accurate financial records and exercise strict control over school funds. However, the court's ruling cleared Mhlanga of any wrongdoing, highlighting the insufficiency of evidence to support the prosecution's claims.
The acquittal ends months of uncertainty for Mhlanga, whose reputation had been under intense scrutiny, and underscores the importance of rigorous evidence in financial misconduct cases within the education sector.
Source - The Chronicle
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
