Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A 71-year-old man has been arrested and is facing charges of running a fraudulent scheme in which he duped desperate job seekers under the pretext that he was working for the Harare City Council.
Erasmus Chingarande allegedly duped over 100 jobseekers of US$2 800 in recruitment fees.
Many other victims are expected to come forward.
He appeared in court over the weekend.
The court heard that in February last year, Chingarande approached several complainants masquerading as a former employee of Harare City Council Security Department.
He told complainants that he was facilitating employment in the Harare City Council under a scheme to create 500 jobs for unemployed youth.
The first complainant, Leah Tafirenyika became interested and further enquired with the Chingarande on how she could be assisted as she had a number of relatives who were looking for employment. Chingarande allegedly told her that each applicant was supposed to pay an application fee US$20. Chingarande told Tafirenyika that his office was at Shepperton House along Cameroon Street.
The two exchanged contact numbers and agreed to meet at a later date.
That same month, Tafirenyika called Chingarande on his contact numbers and they agreed to meet in town and met at the corner Rotten Row and Jason Moyo Avenue.
Tafirenyika paid a total of US$100 to register five of her relatives who were seeking employment.
Chingarande allegedly added the five in a register.
On a later date, Tafirenyika allegedly went to Chingarande’s office where she paid US$300 for fifteen other job seekers who had approached her and they were added to the register.
Tafirenyika shared the scheme with her workmates and they also approached Chingarande.
Two of Tafirenyika’s workmates were duped of US$100 and US$80 each.
The fourth complainant, Josephine Ndaramu, was approached by Chingarande who told her that he was employed by the City Council and that he had been advised by his bosses to recruit employees for Harare City council and that US$20 was needed as registration fee for each person.
Ndaramu paid US$100 for five of her relatives at Chingarande’s offices.
One Grace Manyere approached Tiripano Makanganise, a Harare City Council employee and advised her that she was looking for employment.
Makanganise referred Manyere to Chingarande who confirmed that he was registering people for employment at Harare City Council for US$20 each.
Manyere made a payment of US$175 for herself and seven other relatives.
Mercy Mukombe also paid US$60 for her two children and referred 58 other applicants who paid US$1740.
Chingarande received a total of US$2 855.
He was arrested after the City of Harare was advised that he was running a bogus scheme.
