Former Mitchell's Plain principal admits to defrauding school of more than R95 000

A former Mitchell’s Plain school principal got a slap on the wrist after he admitted of defrauded his school of R95 730.

65-year-old Clifford Chateau, former principal of Duneside Primary School, appeared in the Bellville specialised commercial crime court on Tuesday.

PICTURE - Hawks: 65-year-old Clifford Chateau

He was sentenced to five years imprisonment, but the court suspended two years of the sentence and Chateau will serve three years under correctional supervision.

Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Zinzi Hani, said Chateau’s crime dated to 2017.

“It is reported that the school, where Chateau was the headmaster, wanted to do building work at the school and the company CBS, belonging to the accused submitted a quotation created by the headmaster,’’ said Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani.

Hani said the headmaster submitted other false quotations to the school Governing Body (SGB).

‘’The SGB, on the accused’s recommendations appointed CBS to do the work. The headmaster would submit invoices by CBS to the SGB for approval, thereafter cheques were issued to CBS.’’

Hani said CBS would cash the cheques and make cash payments into Chateau’s bank account.

‘’During the period of June 2017 to August 2017, the school paid CBS a total amount of R95 730 and the headmaster received a total of R36 400 cash payments into his bank account, said Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani.

 

Done By: Mitchum George