Mthabisi Tshuma
A PLUMTREE nurse is at the centre of allegations that she swindled residents, colleagues and desperate nursing school hopefuls out of thousands of United States dollars through sick-parent sob stories and promises of nursing school places.
Eustina Tshuma allegedly borrowed money claiming her parents were critically ill and needed urgent medical attention, while other victims accuse her of demanding up to US$1 500 to secure places at nursing schools.
The allegations have left some families counting losses, with victims claiming they sold goats and cattle to finance their children’s nursing dreams.
According to the complainants, Tshuma claimed to have connections at the Ministry of Health and Child Care and could facilitate places at nursing schools, particularly Brunapeg Mission in Mangwe District.
Some complainants further allege that Tshuma became hostile when they sought refunds.
On Monday, some of the alleged victims formed a WhatsApp group called “Scammed by Eustina” to compile their claims and discuss making a police report.
One complainant said she met Tshuma at Lady Colleta Hospital in Plumtree while accompanying her sick mother for a review.
She alleged that Tshuma later asked whether she had Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), saying she was selling electricity tokens and paying school fees for people using the local currency before reimbursing them in US dollars at an exchange rate of 30.
The complainant said she eventually lent Tshuma US$300 after being promised repayment with interest. She alleged that, after the first loan was repaid, Tshuma persuaded her to transfer ZiG15 000.
“Since then she has been dodging me, saying she will pay, and nothing has materialised. She owes me US$820 in total,” she said.
Another complainant, who said she works with Tshuma at Plumtree District Hospital, alleged that Tshuma borrowed US$35 from her at Sai Mart supermarket in Dingumuzi Township in January, claiming she had an emergency. Two days later, Tshuma allegedly requested ZiG3 000 through EcoCash, promising to exchange it for US dollars at a favourable rate.
The complainant said she reported the matter to the hospital’s Human Resources department in July after the money was not repaid as expected.
She further alleged that Tshuma signed an affidavit promising to pay US$135 but did not honour the commitment, prompting her to approach the Small Claims Court.
According to the complainant, Tshuma did not attend the hearing and the court ordered payment of the outstanding amount by 30 September 2026, together with legal costs.
“She only paid US$50 through EcoCash before the court hearing. So the magistrate said she must pay the remaining US$85 and the costs of the lawsuit, which are US$149,” she said.
Another complainant alleged that Tshuma repeatedly sought loans by saying her parents were ill.
“Her style is always the same. She will come crying that her mother or father is in hospital in Bulawayo and she needs US$200 urgently. Because she is a nurse, you believe her. Next week she comes again with another story,” the complainant said.
A Bulawayo parent alleged that the family paid Tshuma US$1 000 after she offered to find out how their daughter could secure a nursing school place.
The parent said Tshuma had since repaid US$600 and promised to settle the balance by the end of October.
Plumtree Ward 1 councillor Godfrey Ngwenya said some of the complainants had added him to their WhatsApp group and asked him to convey their concerns to Tshuma’s parents.
“I was added to the group by the people who say they were robbed of their monies by Eustina Tshuma and they asked that I relay the message to her parents that they want their monies back,” he said.
Ngwenya said he had met Tshuma’s parents, who expressed disappointment over the allegations but said they were facing their own difficulties, including the father’s illness and need for an operation.
Efforts to get a comment from Tshuma were unsuccessful, as she had not responded to messages and calls by the time of going to print.
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