Kwekwe – A recent government audit of finances at Emthonjeni Primary School has shown serious rot which could have prejudiced the school of over $100 000 by the acting headmistress Julian Murisa through laundering.
The audit report confirmed parents’ fears that school funds were being plundered through false claims and payments by the school authorities.
It is understood that Murisa allegedly withdrew thousands of dollars through the School Development Association (SDA) chaired by Siran Chishanu reportedly for paying teachers’ incentives, but the money never reached the intended beneficiaries.
“Of $83 608 noted cash withdrawn in 2011 and 2012 towards payment of teacher incentives, about $23 912 does not appear in the availed teachers’ incentive acquittal register as having so paid out,” read part of the report.
Murisa was also accused by the auditors of having claimed $1 000 on September 29 last year to attend a Headmasters Conference in Victoria Falls where she allegedly did not go, but by the time of audit she had reportedly not reimbursed the funds or furnished the school with receipts.
The report also accused Murisa of failing to notify the SDA or school authorities of cash amounting to $15 515 which was uncovered by another external auditor as having been underbanked.
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“Acting Head never reported to the SDA nor the District authorities a $15 515 cash under-banking disclosed to them by an auditor they had enlisted in 2009 to 2010 to audit SDC books, thereby obstructing timeous remedial action in the regard,” the report read.
The school is yet to act on the report with Councillor Weston Masiya instrumental in bringing the audit to the school, saying the SDA was hesitant to report the matter to the police because the report implicated them as well.
“No police report has been made or any action taken against those who have been stealing money from the school by the SDA because they are afraid they could also be arrested,” Masiya said. Murisa was not available for comment yesterday. Emthonjeni becomes the third government school in Kwekwe to come under the spotlight over alleged abuse of funds.
Audits at Kwekwe and Ruvimbo primary schools also uncovered massive looting of school funds. At Kwekwe Primary School three members of the SDA were arrested and appeared in court on charges of stealing $3 400, while at Ruvimbo the headmistress was also brought to court for stealing over $50 000 from the school coffers.