Prosper Dembedza
Herald correspondent
A 32-year-old Harare man has appeared in court on allegations of trafficking a job seeker to the United Arab Emirates using fake sales vacancies.
Tinashe Gondo faced charges of human trafficking and operating an unregistered employment agency when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.
He was remanded in custody to Monday for bail consideration.
Prosecutors alleged that in August 2026, Gondo approached the complainant claiming he was an agent contracted by a Dubai-based firm, Bukiwel Facktes Company, which had lucrative vacancies for salespersons.
During the first week of September 2026, Gondo assisted the complainant in applying for a passport before processing his visa and air tickets on September 5.
The complainant travelled to South Africa by road on September 7, 2026, and boarded an Emirates flight from OR Tambo International Airport to Dubai the same day.
Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport, the complainant was taken to Sharjah, where he was informed that the promised sales jobs did not exist. Instead, he was forced to open 12 bank accounts to apply for fraudulent loans and participate in financial scams.
In October 2026, the complainant escaped and sought refuge at the Zimbabwean Embassy, which facilitated his repatriation home.
