Kumalo SDC Questions Acquittal Of Headmistress In US$12,000 Fraud Case

The School Development Committee (SDC) at Kumalo Primary School in Bulawayo says it is unhappy with the acquittal of headmistress Stella Mhlanga, who had been accused of embezzling more than US$12,000 in school funds.

Mhlanga, who was suspended in July, was cleared last week by Bulawayo magistrate Richard Ramaboea, who said the State failed to prove its case due to inconsistent testimony, missing documents, and assumptions that were not backed by solid evidence.

Despite the ruling, the SDC says parents and the community are still uneasy. Representatives told CITE they respect the justice system but do not believe the acquittal absolves the headmistress of accountability. Said the SDC member:

“As SDC members, we affirm that we are accountable to the law and respect the justice system’s integrity.

“We trust in the principles of fairness and impartiality enshrined in the Zimbabwean Constitution, particularly Section 69(1), which guarantees the right to a fair trial.”

They said the acquittal had been wrongly interpreted in public as a vindication, when in their view it was actually the result of technical errors on the part of the State. Said the SDC representative:

“Regarding the recent acquittal, we clarify that it resulted from the state’s withdrawal due to procedural issues.

“Notably, the state failed to provide our statements to the accused’s defence counsel, rendering us incompetent as witnesses.

“This raises questions about the disappearance of crucial evidence and the impact on witness testimony.”

Mhlanga was charged alongside four staff members, two bursars and two teachers, after the SDC flagged irregularities in the school’s finances earlier this year.

A government audit uncovered unexplained transactions, missing funds, and alleged personal use of levy payments.

The issue first came to light during a bursars’ workshop when one bursar, Nomusa Magwaku, could not account for discrepancies in her records.

Inspections at the school revealed missing amounts, including US$5,108 allegedly unbanked by Mhlanga, US$2,554 unaccounted for by another staff member, and smaller sums allegedly mishandled by Magwaku and two other employees. The SDC reported the matter to the Commercial Crimes Unit.

Despite the evidence, many State witnesses struggled under cross-examination, key audit documents were missing, and testimony did not directly link Mhlanga to the missing funds.

Magistrate Ramaboea ruled that these inconsistencies created reasonable doubt, resulting in the acquittal of all accused.

The SDC maintains that the case’s collapse reflects procedural failings, not Mhlanga’s innocence.

Some parents who contributed to the development levy said they feel “betrayed” and fear similar incidents could happen again.

The committee says it will continue to push for transparency and is exploring whether further action can be taken through civil or administrative channels.

More: CITE