Job seekers lose cash to ‘agents’

FIVE people from Karoi lost US$2 410 to three fake employment agents who had promised them to train as Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officers.

One of the three suspects, Jobie Tuhwe has since been arrested in connection with the case while the other two, Richard Tichawangana Neshiri, alias Makaza, and Chipo Munyaka, have gone into hiding.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were investigating the case.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating a case of fraud where five people from Karoi in Mashonaland West Province were swindled US$2 410 after being promised employment to train as VID officers.

“On September 17, 2021, three suspects, Jobie Tuhwe, Richard Tichawangana Neshiri (alias Makaza) and Chipo Munyaka approached and misrepresented the complainants in Karoi that they can secure places to train as VID officers in Harare. They then asked the complainants to deposit US$482 each through bureau-dechange, an amount they said they would cover food, accommodation and other expenses during training.”

He said when the money was deposited, the suspects told the complainants to wait for a vehicle from VID Chinhoyi that would pick them on September 21 at around 11am in Karoi. “The complainants waited for the said transport until 6pm and it did not come.

“They tried to call the accused persons and their cellphones were no longer reachable. That is when they realised they had been duped and went on to make a police report,” Asst Comm Nyathi said

He said investigations carried out led to the arrest of one of the suspects, while the other two are still on the run.

Meanwhile, police in Bulawayo last Friday, acting on a tip off arrested Ngqabutho Dube (24) and Miriam Sibanda (65) for unlawful possession of mbanje at Delta Bus Company premises.

The suspects were arrested as they were collecting 2.3 kg of mbanje that had been sent to them from South Africa for re-sell in Bulawayo.

Investigations are in progress.