Financial officer to appear in court for defrauding school

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A primary school financial officer is expected to make her first appearance before the Delmas magistrate court on Monday for fraud.

This comes after she was arrested by the Hawks Secunda based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation assisted by Delmas Management Information Centre officer.

According to Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, the Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga, the 52-year-old suspect was appointed by Delmas primary school as a financial officer. 

“Her duties and responsibilities were to make payments for services rendered, pay salaries to teachers appointed by the governing body, receive cash for sales made at the school, manage the school budget, ensure expenses does not exceed budget, petty cash and deposit at the bank.

“On 25 October 2023, the complainant received information regarding the suspect who paid herself two bonuses.

“An investigation was conducted – during investigation, it was discovered that on 6 March 2023, the suspect paid herself R11 237.00 which was correct.

“On 20 0ctober 2023 she paid herself another bonus of R22 543.00 which was not permitted,” she remarked.

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Cpt Sekgotodi stated that during further investigation, it was discovered that from 4 March 2023 to 2 November 2023, an amount of R2 665 007-34 was paid out from school bank account to four Capitec bank account numbers belonging to the suspect.

She added; “One bank account received more than one payment with different references. She used the name of account holders known by the school to transfer funds to her personal bank accounts.

“Total amount defrauded from the school is R2 665 007.34. The matter was finalised and warrant of arrest was authorised and executed on Friday, 9 February 2024.”