Top school’s ex-principal in dock for fraud

The former principal of one of Durban’s top schools appeared briefly in the court on charges of fraud amounting to an estimated R5 million.

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Durban – The former principal of one of Durban’s top schools appeared briefly in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on Friday on charges of fraud.

National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman Natasha Ramkisson said Trevor Kershaw was alleged to have made 177 fraudulent payments worth an estimated R5 million.

Kershaw, 55, who recently resigned as principal of Durban’s Glenwood Boys High School, was granted bail of R100,000 and ordered to surrender both his South African passport and and his British passport.

Ramkisson said the court was told that Kershaw was viewed as a flight risk as he had two passports and had recently put his house in Westville up for sale.

Apart from surrendering his passports and paying R100,000 bail, Kershaw was also ordered to report twice a week to the Westville police, barred from applying for any new travel documents, and ordered not to leave KwaZulu-Natal without permission.

A statement released on the school’s website read: “”It was with sincere regret that after the headmaster indicated his intention to leave Glenwood High School during 2015 to pursue other interests, and after he had tendered his resignation to the department of education by whom he is employed, an unrelated, snap audit uncovered the possibility that the headmaster may have been involved in some financial irregularities.”

According to the statement Kershaw had denied any wrongdoing and the school had appointed external auditors to conduct a forensic audit.

Glenwood is one of the top schools in the province and is especially known for its strong rugby teams. The case was adjourned to June 21.

African News Agency

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