A deputy headteacher is under fire for misusing KSh 130,000 meant for vulnerable beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer program.
Sylvester Malumani, 50, reportedly lost the funds after placing multiple bets on Aviator, an online gambling game. He admitted to using the money in hopes of multiplying it but ended up losing the entire amount.
Malumani, who serves as the deputy headteacher of Manuka Primary School, has been arrested and is facing charges of misappropriation of public funds.
Deputy Headteacher Gambles Away KSh 130k Social Welfare Funds on Aviator
Sylvester Malumani, a 50-year-old deputy headteacher at Manuka Primary School, has been arrested for gambling away KSh 130,000 meant for vulnerable beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer program.
Why Was Malumani Handling Social Welfare Funds?
In October 2024, Malumani was appointed as an Agent and Pay-point Manager by the Department of Social Welfare in Choma to distribute funds to beneficiaries.
Timeline of Events
- January 8, 2025: District Social Welfare Officer Kazembe Zyambo entrusted Malumani with the funds for 27 beneficiaries while attending a workshop in Mulungushi.
- January 13, 2025: Zyambo received a report from Mercy Mujery that beneficiaries had not received their funds.
- January 19, 2025: After an investigation, Malumani confessed to using the money to gamble on Aviator, hoping to repay personal debts by multiplying the funds. However, he lost the entire amount.
Legal Action and Community Outrage
The incident was reported to Choma Central Police by Zyambo, and Southern Province Deputy Commissioner of Police Moono Namalongo confirmed that Malumani is in custody as investigations continue. His actions have left the beneficiaries in dire financial straits, sparking outrage from the community. Authorities have vowed to improve oversight and prevent future mismanagement of Social Cash Transfer funds.
Betting Woes Elsewhere
In a related story, a Nairobi man named Lamech shared his experience of losing over KSh 6 million to gambling over two years. He revealed how his addiction led to the loss of three luxurious cars and left him broke, demonstrating the devastating impact of gambling addiction.