Charges of criminal abuse of duty were brought against the Headmaster and Deputy Head of a secondary school in Chiredzi District in front of the Triangle Magistrates’ Court.
The Criminal Investigation Department from Triangle received an anonymous letter claiming that the accused persons put their children on the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) program without following the proper procedures, according to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe.
The accused were apprehended after investigations were carried out. As a result of the offence, the accused persons received USD 120 in benefits for 2022.
After being found guilty, they were each given a sentence of 20 months in prison, with 6 months suspended for a period of 5 years. An additional two months are suspended if the accused make restitution to the Social Services Department.
The remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that the accused persons perform 420 hours of community service.