The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
CHAIR of Barwick School board of governors Mr Tinashe Tagwirei has been kicked out for allegedly trying to defraud the institution over US$20 000 in unpaid school fees for his children.
Mr Tagwirei allegedly wanted the debt reduced by crediting him for a US$5 600 lawn mower donated by his employer, Pan African Mining.
This led to his sacking via a resolution passed by four board members on October 9, 2015.
This was after Barwick School official Mr Fred Zinanga questioned why Mr Tagwirei wanted items donated by his employer credited to him.
On September 23, 2015, Mr Zinanga wrote, “There is absence of documentation related to request for capitalisation by Barkwick School in 2011, the school recorded the materials and asset as donations from Pan African Mining. Auditors advised that enough documentation would be required to avoid misinterpretation of the instruction as fraud (eg proof of payment instructions from Pan African Mining and copies of related requisitions at company level).”
Mr Tagwirei wrote to the school saying he sourced the mower and 20 bags of cement.
“I requested for a fees credit arising from the money used to purchase building materials (for laundry yard) and the motorised lawn mower for the school. I facilitated this expenditure from (Pan African Mining) during the period when the school was in need of assistance to capitalise and would request it to be appropriately accounted for, for transparency sake. I had requested that if I could have this information this past Tuesday so that I could address any fees deficit arising ASAP.”
Several teachers have left and are leaving the school, citing Mr Tagwirei’s alleged poor leadership.
A letter by some of them reads; “There are constant frustrations, worries and insecurities and we feel that it is unhealthy to work under such stress … On meeting (Mr Tagwirei) … he can barely be civil and shows no interest in what is being done around the school.”
Mr Tagwirei insisted he was still in charge, before asking for written questions – which he did not reply.
