The Mangochi Second Grade Magistrate’s Court on Friday convicted and sentenced 44-year-old Fatima Private Primary School Headteacher identified as Paul Kumwenda to three years imprisonment with hard labour for fraudulently obtaining money from Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination (PSLCE) candidates meant for registration and identity cards.

State Prosecutor Shadreck Wisiki told the court that in December last year, Kumwenda was instructed by the Director of the said school to collect funds from the 22 candidates and dispatch to the Malawi National Examination Board (Maneb).

However the convict collected a sum of K120,000 cash and diverted the funds for personal use.

Wisiki added that on May 9, 2023 the school’s director discovered that the convict had failed to remit the collected funds to MANEB which affected the 22 learners who did not sit their examinations.

Appearing in court, Kumwenda pleaded guilty and asked for the court’s leniency, citing that his services at the school were still needed to help the form 2 students.

In his ruling, Second Grade Magistrate Baxter Chikalimba sentenced the convict to 3-years imprisonment with hard labour as a deterrent to would-be offenders.