The Sunday News
Faith Phiri Sunday News Reporter
A FORMER school clerk at Sigola Primary School in Esigodini has been sentenced to 24 months in jail after being found guilty of defrauding the institution of more than $1 000. Nomagugu Mlilo (29) of Ntshamatshe Village in Umzingwane District Esigodini, a former clerk at the school, appeared before Esigodini magistrate Mr Muzingaye Moyo last week facing charges of fraud. Of the 24 months, six months were suspended on condition she does not commit a similar offence while a further six months was suspended on condition she pays the $1 134 she stole from the school.
Mlilo was arrested when she returned to the country last week, as she had allegedly skipped the border last year after the matter was discovered. Prosecuting, Miss Martha Gwese said Mlilo committed the crime during the period from 18 November 2014 to 10 September 2015.
“In November 2014, Mlilo was employed as a clerk, with the job title requiring her to receive cash from parents as school levies. She was expected to receipt the money and on the top receipt she gave to parents she would write the correct amount of money paid. However, after the parents had gone, using a transparent receipt, she would write on the duplicate copy putting an undercharge,” said Miss Gwese.
The court heard that on a date unknown Mrs Lister Mangena who is employed as the acting headmistress at the school conducted a sample check after noticing a difference in cash flows between terms. An audit was conducted where it was discovered the money had a shortfall of $1 134.
A police report was made but Mlilo fled from the country. She was only arrested recently when she returned home from South Africa where she had relocated after committing the crime. In assessing the sentence, Mr Moyo said the offence was pre-meditated as it went on for long period of time and she could not be granted community service as she was a flight risk.
Mlilo begged Mr Moyo to be lenient with her in passing sentence.
“Your Worship, I am a single mother and I am pregnant. I am asking you to sympathise with me and my family. I did this unlawful act because the money l was earning was not enough for me to sustain my family,” said Mlilo.
