adminTendai Gukutikwa
A 22-YEAR-OLD taxi driver who posed as a Population Services International (PSI)agent and solicited for $1 300 from 14 desperate job seekers was on Monday sentenced to 24 months behind bars.
Blessing Nedahwa appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura, facing fraud and bribery charges and was convicted on his own plea of guilty.
Nedahwa appeared together with this alleged accomplice, Simon Sambare, who denied the charges and was remanded to November 5 for trial.
Nedahwa was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, of which 13 months were suspended on condition that he paid back the complainants their money by November 30, leaving him to serve an effective 13 months jail term.
In sentencing him, the court took into consideration that Nedahwa was a first offender and had not wasted the court’s time by denying the charges.
Appearing for the State, Mr Cuthbert Bhosha, said on October 2, Nedahwa and Sambare went to House Number 445, Zororo, Sakubva, masquerading as officers from the Population Services International.
“They informed Lydia Muhambi that they had been tasked by their manager to recruit new employees.
“The pair then demanded, received and pocketed $1 300 from 14 different people who were interested in the promised jobs,” said Mr Bhosha.
A report was made to the police after the two had failed to secure employment for the 14 people, which led to their arrest.
Asked why he had committed the offence, Nedahwa told the court that he was trying to earn a living.
Mrs Chipanga, however, had a word of advice for him before he left the courtroom.
“Find other lawful means to earn a living. Sell airtime if your taxi salary is not enough,” said Mrs Chipanga.
Turning to Sambare, Mrs Chipanga said: “A trial will be conducted and witnesses will be called. If you are convicted, brace yourself for a stiffer penalty because you would have wasted the court’s time.”
Online Reporter