Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A ZIMBABWEAN man, who was ‘offered’ a job in Ethiopia, was allegedly forced to transport drugs and ended in what he claims to be captivity.
Benito Chimbaru was introduced to an agent, identified only as Memory, by his former classmate, who has been identified as Kundai.
Memory allegedly promised Benito employment in Ethiopia.
Chimbaru showed interest and travelled to South Africa by bus in March, before connecting a flight to Ethiopia, using tickets allegedly bought by Kundai.
On arrival in Ethiopia, Chimbaru was welcomed by a Nigerian man, who took him to a hotel.
There, he claims he was allegedly forced to swallow seven sachets containing unknown substances, which he now believes were drugs.
He was later flown to Oman, where Chimbaru excreted the substances.
After that, he was allegedly taken hostage by one of the agents.
Chimbaru managed to send a message to his mother, Clarisa Mashavira (55), on May 25, describing his ordeal.
In the message, he said he had limited time to access his cellphone, explaining why he could not share many details.
He also alleged the inhuman conditions he was being subjected to, which led Mashavira to lodge a police report against Memory and Kundai.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, could not be reached for comment. However, H-Metro is reliably informed that the case was reported at Mabvuku Police Station under RRB 6870338.
Mathew Masinge