Two men and a private company have been convicted of fraud involving COSSASA Games funds, while a Kamativi resident has been sentenced for theft in unrelated cases heard in Tredgold and Hwange Magistrates’ Courts respectively.
At Tredgold Magistrates’ Court, Nkosana Mlibazi, Deputy Head at Founders High School, and contractor Lazarus Moyo were convicted alongside Lazaco Engineers (Pvt) Ltd for defrauding the school of USD600.
The court heard that between August and September 2024, Founders High generated USD16,070 from hosting the COSSASA Games.
Mlibazi, entrusted with the funds, colluded with Moyo to siphon USD600 by submitting fake quotations and receipts under the name of Lazaco Engineers, claiming work had been done on school facilities.
Investigations revealed that no such work occurred, and a school caretaker had independently sourced and installed necessary equipment. Fraudulent reports were submitted to school authorities, leading to the conviction.
“The first and second offenders were sentenced to 8 months in jail of which 2 months were suspended for 5 years. A further 2 months were suspended upon payment of a USD200 fine and USD200 restitution.
“The remaing 4 months were suspended on condition of 140 hours community service. Lazaco Engineers was fined USD200 and ordered to restitute USD200,” the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said.
In a separate case, the Hwange Magistrates’ Court convicted 50-year-old Timothy Saungweme of theft after he stole a cellphone and an Openview decoder from a man who had invited him to a New Year’s celebration.
According to National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the incident occurred in the early hours of January 1, 2026, when the 35-year-old victim, only identified as Zimba, fell asleep during the gathering.
Saungweme took advantage of the situation and stole a white Itel S23 cellphone and an Openview decoder, worth a combined USD150.
“On January 1st of 2026, the victim invited the offender and others to celebrate. When Zimba dozed off, the offender stole a white Itel S23 cellphone with an Econet SIM card and an Openview decoder,with a combined value of USD150,” said NPAZ.
He was fined USD300 or, in default, will serve three months in prison.
An additional two-month sentence was suspended for five years on condition of good behavior.
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Story by Jeremiah Gora
