Fraudster spared jail

A HARARE woman, who committed acts of fraud against her former employer, Herentals Group of Colleges, has been ordered to refund the school over US$50 or face eight months in prison.

Fadzai Kuyeri was facing two counts of fraud after short-changing parents at the college’s Chitungwiza campus.

On the first count, Kuyeri was sentenced two months in prison with one month suspended on condition that she pays a fine of $4 000 on or before July 30.

The remaining month was also suspended on condition of restitution amounting to US$25 on or before July 30.

On the second count, she was sentenced six months in prison, two months of which were suspended on condition that she pays a fine of $5 000.

The court suspended two months on condition that she refunds US$9 to the college on or before July 30.

The remaining two months were also suspended on condition that she does not commit a similar offence for the next five years.

The State had managed to prove that Kuyeri, who was an administrative secretary responsible for receipting all payments at the school, duped parents of change.

It was also proved that one of the parents was invited to the school after she left her US$5 but Kuyeri did not indicate on her receipt that she had not collected her change.

According to the school policy, Kuyeri was supposed to indicate on the receipt and the original copy which she failed to do.

After an audit, it was later found out that Kuyeri had receipted US$20 instead of US$45 on this instant she concealed US$25 from the school.

Further investigations led authorities to follow a tip by a student who had bought a school report but did not receive his receipt.

Investigations revealed that she was selling school reports and converting the money to her personal use. A complaint was lodged with the police leading to her arrest.