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Headmaster arrested over US$84,000 fraud
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A Harare high school head has been arrested in connection with alleged embezzlement of school funds amounting to US$84 000. Friendship High School head, Tayengwa Christopher Maponga, was taken into police custody last Monday after a complaint was lodged at Borrowdale Police Station under case number CR 03/12/25.
Maponga was arrested together with Milcah Machi and Tendai Kuhudzayi, while a fourth accused person, bursar Tichaona Kunyenda, is still at large. Machi currently heads Girls High School but previously led Friendship High before Maponga took over. Kuhudzayi, who served as deputy head at Friendship High before moving to Marlborough High in the same capacity, has since been suspended by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. Kunyenda is believed to have fled following the opening of the case.
The quartet is accused of embezzling US$84 000 in school funds. The case has since been handed over to the Commercial Crimes Division (Northern Region) for further investigations.
The matter came to light after Samasave Security Services reported that the school had failed to settle a US$6 050 payment for services rendered. The company accused Maponga of allegedly operating the institution "like a private firm or tuckshop," prompting it to escalate the issue to the National Anti-Corruption Association of Zimbabwe as well as relevant education authorities.
In a letter dated August 5, 2025, and seen by reporters, Samasave warned Maponga that they were no longer interested in exchanging correspondence without action.
"Time for lawyers to exchange letters has come and gone, now is the time for action towards reality and recovery," wrote the company, further insisting it would not rest until justice was served and the matter reached the highest offices in the country.
The accused are expected to appear in court soon.
Maponga was arrested together with Milcah Machi and Tendai Kuhudzayi, while a fourth accused person, bursar Tichaona Kunyenda, is still at large. Machi currently heads Girls High School but previously led Friendship High before Maponga took over. Kuhudzayi, who served as deputy head at Friendship High before moving to Marlborough High in the same capacity, has since been suspended by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. Kunyenda is believed to have fled following the opening of the case.
The quartet is accused of embezzling US$84 000 in school funds. The case has since been handed over to the Commercial Crimes Division (Northern Region) for further investigations.
The matter came to light after Samasave Security Services reported that the school had failed to settle a US$6 050 payment for services rendered. The company accused Maponga of allegedly operating the institution "like a private firm or tuckshop," prompting it to escalate the issue to the National Anti-Corruption Association of Zimbabwe as well as relevant education authorities.
In a letter dated August 5, 2025, and seen by reporters, Samasave warned Maponga that they were no longer interested in exchanging correspondence without action.
"Time for lawyers to exchange letters has come and gone, now is the time for action towards reality and recovery," wrote the company, further insisting it would not rest until justice was served and the matter reached the highest offices in the country.
The accused are expected to appear in court soon.
Source - Newsday
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