Sidumisile Mabena
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has dismissed reports that it has appointed an agent to process the accreditation of media practitioners based in South Africa.
In a statement on Tuesday, ZMC said it has not appointed any agent to carry out its mandate and advised media practitioners to ignore the scammers, who are reportedly demanding US$70 from those in South Africa to process their media accreditation cards.
The organisation said it has engaged the law enforcement agents to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to justice.
In addition, it urged stakeholders to be cautious and vigilant when seeking ZMC services and encouraged members of the public to report such characters to authorities as a matter of urgency.
“We have been made aware of a disturbing scam in which an individual is posing as a ZMC accreditation agent and swindling unsuspecting media practitioners, particularly Zimbabweans based in South Africa,” said ZMC.
“The scammer is reportedly demanding payment of US$70.00 via Mukuru, and promising to process media accreditation cards on behalf of media practitioners.
“We wish to inform the public that it does not have agents or representatives who collect payments for media accreditation cards through an unorthodox means. The ZMC condemns in the strongest possible terms these disciplinary acts which are designed to take advantage of vulnerable individuals”.
The media regulatory body assured the public that all legitimate services related to media accreditation cards are provided through official channels, including its website and offices and advised members of the public to verify any information directly by contacting ZMC.
The latest scam comes as the ZMC is carrying out a nationwide outreach to accredit media practitioners based out of Harare and Bulawayo where it has permanent offices.
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