School owner steals US$2 335 in exam fees

A school owner in Mbare, Richmore Sairos, has been sentenced to community service after being found guilty of defrauding four Ordinary Level Cambridge candidates of US$2,335 in examination fees. The sentence allows him to avoid jail provided he reimburses the stolen funds.

Presiding Magistrate Nyaradzo Manokore initially handed Sairos, 39, a 24-month jail term, suspending four months on condition of good behaviour. An additional 14 months were suspended contingent upon repayment of the US$2,335, while the remaining six months were deferred on the condition that he perform community service.

The case stemmed from the actions of Sairos, who managed a college where learners were enrolled to sit for the June 2022 Cambridge Ordinary Level examinations. Prosecutor Takudzwa Mutyavaviri explained that parents, including Thompson Tendai Munetsi, paid fees intended for Cambridge registration. Munetsi had provided US$700 for his child's five-subject registration, which Sairos was required to deposit into a nostro account and subsequently transfer to the British Council Examination account.

The State demonstrated that Sairos instead converted the funds for personal use and generated a fake statement of entry for the student. The fraud came to light as the examination dates approached, with Sairos falsely claiming there had been an error with the Cambridge board.

Further misappropriation occurred on 7 June 2022, when Sairos received US$1,312 meant for two other learners. He again converted the money for personal use and fabricated confirmation of payment receipts from NMB Bank. Investigations and police reports confirmed the fraudulent activities, culminating in his conviction.

The sentence highlights judicial efforts to hold education providers accountable while offering conditional measures that ensure victims are reimbursed and the offender contributes to community service.