Job-seekers swindled

Lovemore Meya Court Reporter
A 42-year-old Chitungwiza woman has been dragged to court after she swindled US$792 from 24 people desperate for employment.
Martha Chitumba of Unit A in Chitungwiza, who allegedly claimed to be an agent for an NGO which required 150 people to work as general hands at Government hospitals, denied fraud charges that were being levelled against her when she appeared before magistrate Mr Musaiona Shortgame. Chitumba was remanded to today for judgment.

Prosecutor Mr Norman Koropi told the court that sometime in August last year Chitumba asked Tendai Silika (42) of Unit F to look for 150 people to work as general hands at Government hospitals.

Silika came up with 24 people with the help of two colleagues, Winnie Manyika and Matilda Majino.
The court heard that the trio collected US$33 for uniforms from each person.

After collecting the money totalling US$792, they handed it over to Chitumba.
Chitumba promised them that they would commence work in September the same year but failed to honour her promise.
The matter was reported to police leading to her arrest.