School Head up for fraud
By Thembelihle Mhlanga
A school Head at a Seventh Day Adventist run school is up for fraud and embezzlement of school funds and misappropriation of school property.
Mrs Nomathemba Ngwenya, head of Mtshibini Adventist Primary School is to answer to allegations of fraud, forgery and misappropriation of school property, this publication has learnt.It is alleged that Mrs Ngwenya signed out a laptop belonging to the school from the accounts clerk Ms Joice Myezane in May 2020 and never returned it.
According to the School Development Committee(SDC) Vice Chair Mr Ndumiso Moyo, the missing laptop was discovered when the finance committee was taking stock of the number of gadgets that belonged to the school while considering purchasing more laptops.
“We wanted to buy more laptops for the school and therefore took stock of the number of laptops the school has and it was discovered that one was missing. We then found out that the missing laptop had been signed out to Mrs Ngwenya,” said Moyo.
It is further stated that when asked about the laptop, Mrs Ngwenya said she could not remember its whereabouts, leading to the institution of legal proceedings by the finance committee. In a different case, it is alleged that in September 2021, Mrs Ngwenya made a transfer of ZWL 272 000 to one Willard Shona by forging Vice Chairperson Moyo’s signature. Moyo is said to have refused to divulge Shona’s contacts nor identity.Asked by the finance committee to explain the fraudulent transaction Mrs Ngwenya reportedly apologized and was given a three-day ultimatum to reverse the transaction but however did not comply.
The matter was then referred to the SDC Chairperson, Mr Essential Machonisa who in turn made a formal report to Lupane police, leading to Mrs Ngwenya’s arrest.
The Lupane District Schools Inspector Mr Lovemore Ncube confirmed having received a report on the case.
” I can confirm having just received the report on Mtshibini School but I am currently seized with analysing the case to determine if there could be any further action taken,” said Ncube.
Nkululeko Tshuma, a parent, alleged that the misappropriation of funds by the Mtshibini Head was nothing new but that such matters were for a long time kept under wraps to protect the Head.
“Mrs Ngwenya’s proclivity to steal school funds and properties has been quite monumental but nothing was being done to stop the rot. Her excesses caused a number of committee members to resign,” said Tshuma.
Mrs Ngwenya is set to appear at Lupane Magistrate Court on Wednesday. She did not respond to messages sent to her by this reporter.
