Harare man in court for running bogus pilot, cabin crew training programme

The judge emphasised that while the company may not have had a written policy explicitly prohibiting password sharing, the assignment of personal smart accounts and passwords implied a clear expectation of individual responsibility, privacy and security.

Yeukai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

A HARARE man has appeared in court for allegedly defrauding aspiring aviation students through offering fake access to training for pilots and cabin crew.

Ntobeko Chinhoi (29) allegedly posed as a legitimate aviation trainer, luring students into paying fees for non-existent pilot and cabin crew training opportunities.

Chinhoi, who is self-employed, was reportedly running an unregistered aviation agency under the name Royal Chinhoyi Aviation, based in a cubicle on the 12th floor of Joina City in central Harare.

He appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo facing charges of fraud. Chinhoi was granted US$100 bail and is expected to return to court on May 15.

The case came to light after Mr Leonard Chibamhu, a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police stationed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, reported Chinhoi’s activities.

Prosecutor Ms Nomsa Kangara told the court that last year, Chinhoi created a TikTok account under the name Royal Chinhoyi Aviation, advertising pilot and cabin crew training programmes in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Poland and India.

He allegedly used the platform to attract students and organised a seminar on April 12 this year at RGM International Airport to promote his services.

He charged participants at the seminar US$2 each to take part in the event at the Hotplate Airport Restaurant.

At the seminar, Chinhoi was confronted by the informant, who questioned the legitimacy of his operations.

When Chinhoi failed to provide evidence of registration or authorisation to conduct such recruitment activities, he was arrested on the spot.