Lomagundi College bursar accused of stealing US$23...

Lomagundi College bursar accused of stealing US$236k, R24k

Michael Mashiri

A bursar with Lomagundi College Trust in Chinhoyi has been taken to court accused of stealing more than US$236 964 and R24 700 from the institution.

Carmalita Doreen Hinze of Chinhoyi appeared at the Harare Magistrate’s Courts facing theft charges.

The complainant in this matter is Lomagundi College Trust.

Hinze’s duties among others, included receipting cash, bank payments, bank reconciliation, invoicing, debtor agreements, debt collecting from parents on a daily basis and handing over the money to the senior bursar.

She was also responsible for clearing and issuing students with gate passes at the beginning of each term and half term.

The State alleges that at some point, Hinze received money from respective parents as payment of school fees which she was supposed to post in the school relevant system and bank the money with the school bursar.

It is alleged that Hinze, with intent to steal, did not bank all that money with the school bursar but converted it to her own use.

Sometime in January 2023, the school carried out a verification process after inviting parents and discovered that Hinze did not bank the money she received from parents.

A forensic audit that was done by Mariahill Chartered Accountants established that Hinze committed 243 counts of theft.

As a result, US$236 964.85, RTGS$59 810 and R24 700 was stolen and nothing was recovered.

Hinze was ordered to appear in court on October 2.