R24 000 school exam fees stolen Money. Image taken from TimesLIVE

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
PUPILS at Dikili Primary School in Tsholotsho may fail to sit for the Grade Seven examinations after burglars last week broke into the school’s strongroom and stole R24 000 meant for exam fees.

Money (Rands). Image taken from dreamstime

Police confirmed the incident and sources suspect the robbery could be an inside job as there was no forced entry into the headmaster’s office where the strongroom is.

The box which contained the money was later discovered at the school’s sporting fields by the School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson Mr Rodger Madebe Mpofu. It had R540.

Mr Mpofu is also an overnight security guard at the nearby Dikili Secondary School which was also hit by robbers last term.

Dikili Secondary School

Learners at the primary school might not sit for the exams unless the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) allows the pupils to write the exams without paying the fees.

Detectives at Tsholotsho Police Station picked up the headmaster, a Mr Ngwenya and his deputy, one Ms Ncube for questioning. The two were released after spending a night in police cells.

“The theft was discovered in the morning by the receipting teacher.

“However, what is strange is that there was no forced entry into the office. The main door was intact including that of the strongroom which suggests that it’s clearly an inside job. It’s someone who had the keys or the duplicate keys,” said a police source.

Rural schools have always raised concern about the security of examination fees since they are forced to keep large sums of money over a long period of time before taking it for banking.

Inspector Glory Banda

ZRP Matabeleland North spokesperson, Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the burglary and said investigations are in progress.
“We can confirm that a robbery took place at Dikili Primary School but no arrests have been made.

We appeal to members of the public that might have any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact any nearest police station,” said Insp Banda.

Provincial Education Director for Matabeleland North Mr Jabulani Mpofu said they will engage Zimsec to ensure the pupils are not disadvantged.

Mr Jabulani Mpofu

“We are still to gather exact details of what happened in this case. Our learners must not be prejudiced hence we intend to engage Zimsec,” said Mr Mpofu.

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