Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
Bulawayo – The acting headmaster of Founders High School, Nkosana Mlibazi, and his co-accused, Lazarus Moyo, have been found guilty of defrauding the school of US$600 for plumbing work that was never carried out.
Bulawayo provincial magistrate Richard Ramaboea convicted the pair on Monday, remanding them in custody for sentencing on Tuesday. The court found that Mlibazi flouted tender procedures by handpicking his friend, Moyo, and authorizing payment for non-existent services.
In a scathing ruling, Magistrate Ramaboea rejected Mlibazi’s defence.
“Accused one told this court that when he contracted Moyo, he was acting on behalf of the school. That is not true; you are merely hiding behind your finger. You were acting on behalf of yourself,” he stated.
The magistrate was equally dismissive of Moyo’s testimony, describing it as “incoherent and difficult to understand” and ultimately “meaningless.”
The court heard that in August 2024, after the school hosted a sports event, Mlibazi and Moyo conspired to create a fake quotation. Mlibazi then authorized a US$600 payment to Moyo’s company for purported plumbing work at a school hostel. An investigation by the School Development Committee later found no work had been done.
In mitigation, the duo’s lawyer, Byron Sengweni, pleaded for leniency.
“Both accused persons are first-time offenders…They are the sole breadwinners. They did not benefit from the offence because the complainant owes the accused more than US$4,000,” he argued.
Prosecutor Joseph Rugara called for a custodial sentence.
“Fraud is a serious crime…Mlibazi occupies a public office and breached the trust the school had in him. Community service or a fine will trivialise the offence,” he submitted.
The two were remanded in custody ahead of their sentencing.
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