A 71-year-old man, Erasmus Chingarande, has been arrested and charged with fraud after allegedly duping more than 100 desperate job seekers out of US$2,800 by posing as a recruiter for the Harare City Council.
Chingarande appeared in court over the weekend, where prosecutors detailed his elaborate scheme to prey on unemployed individuals.
The accused is believed to have masqueraded as a former employee of the Harare City Council Security Department and claimed to be facilitating a recruitment drive for 500 council jobs.
Fraudulent Scheme Unveiled
The court heard that Chingarande began his scheme in February last year, targeting individuals with promises of employment in exchange for a US$20 registration fee per applicant.
He allegedly set up an “office” at Shepperton House along Cameroon Street in Harare to lend credibility to his claims.
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The first complainant, Leah Tafirenyika, approached Chingarande after he told her about the job opportunities. Tafirenyika paid US$100 to register five relatives and later paid an additional US$300 to register 15 more job seekers.
Encouraged by what appeared to be a legitimate process, Tafirenyika shared the information with her workmates, who also fell victim to the scheme.
Two of her colleagues were scammed out of US$100 and US$80, respectively.
According to Hmetro, victims, including Josephine Ndaramu and Grace Manyere, were similarly deceived. Ndaramu paid US$100 to register five relatives, while Manyere paid US$175 for herself and seven family members.
Another victim, Mercy Mukombe, paid US$60 for her two children and referred 58 additional applicants who collectively paid US$1,740.
Total Losses and Arrest
Chingarande reportedly amassed US$2,855 before his arrest. His scheme unraveled after the Harare City Council was alerted to his fraudulent activities and confirmed that no such recruitment drive existed.
Community Impact
The case has sparked outrage among residents, particularly in a country with high unemployment rates, and many are desperate for job opportunities.
“This is deeply disappointing. People are already struggling, and this kind of exploitation is unforgivable,” one Harare resident said.
Legal Proceedings
Chingarande remains in custody and will reappear in court on January 24. Investigators believe additional victims may come forward, as the accused reportedly targeted a large number of people.
The Harare City Council has urged residents to verify job offers directly with their offices to avoid falling victim to similar scams. Meanwhile, authorities have reminded the public to exercise caution when dealing with unverified recruiters.
Chingarande’s arrest is a stark reminder of job seekers’ vulnerabilities and the need for stronger measures to protect the public from fraudulent schemes.
