Five staff members at Kumalo Primary School face fraud charges after authorities found school money missing. Headmistress Stella Mhlanga, 63, her deputy Enelesi Sibanda, 56, and teachers Nombulelo Maiswe, 57, Rumbidzai Magwaku, 36, and Siphatheleni Sibanda, 52, were arrested Monday. The School Development Committee noticed financial problems in February, which prompted an official audit.
The case broke open during a January workshop for government bursars. Magwaku caught attention when she admitted to having unbalanced books. She later avoided questions from another bursar. A government inspector later discovered $2,000 missing from school accounts.
Further investigation revealed much larger problems. Mhlanga allegedly took $5,108 after banking only part of the levy payments she handled. Maiswe reportedly banked just $20 of the $2,574 she collected. Magwaku failed to account for $502 from students. The two Sibandas allegedly misused $1,091 and $630, respectively.
Police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed all arrests. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education conducted the audit that led to these findings. All five school officials will appear in court to answer fraud charges related to the missing funds.
The case broke open during a January workshop for government bursars. Magwaku caught attention when she admitted to having unbalanced books. She later avoided questions from another bursar. A government inspector later discovered $2,000 missing from school accounts.
Further investigation revealed much larger problems. Mhlanga allegedly took $5,108 after banking only part of the levy payments she handled. Maiswe reportedly banked just $20 of the $2,574 she collected. Magwaku failed to account for $502 from students. The two Sibandas allegedly misused $1,091 and $630, respectively.
Police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed all arrests. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education conducted the audit that led to these findings. All five school officials will appear in court to answer fraud charges related to the missing funds.
