Michael Mashiri
Zim Now Court Correspondent
A 71-year-old man, Erasmus Chingarande, has appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Courts facing fraud charges after allegedly masquerading as a former Harare City Council employee to defraud unsuspecting job seekers.
Chingarande, who is accused of orchestrating a scheme to fleece money from unemployed individuals, has been remanded in custody.
The court heard that in February 2024, Chingarande approached multiple complainants, posing as a former employee of the Harare City Council’s Security Department. He claimed to be facilitating employment under a presidential scheme aimed at creating 500 jobs for unemployed youth.
The first complainant, Leah Tafirenyika, expressed interest and inquired about assisting her relatives. Chingarande informed her that each applicant needed to pay a US$20 application fee. He claimed his office was located at Shepperton House on Cameron Street, Harare, and provided his contact details for further communication. Tafirenyika later met Chingarande at Corner Rotten Row and Jason Moyo Road, Harare, where she paid US$100 to register five relatives for employment. She subsequently paid an additional US$300 to register 15 more applicants at Chingarande's alleged office.
Encouraged by Chingarande’s promises, Tafirenyika shared the information with her colleagues, which led other victims to approach him. One complainant paid US$100 to register five relatives, while another was duped of US$80 for four relatives. Josephine Ndaramu, another complainant, paid US$100 for five relatives after meeting Chingarande at Shepperton House.
Grace Manyere, another victim, was referred to Chingarande by a council employee. She paid US$175 for herself and seven relatives. Mercy Mukombwe, also a complainant, paid US$60 to register her two children and referred an additional 58 applicants, who collectively paid Chingarande US$1,740. Mukombwe has since refunded US$650 to some of the victims.
Chingarande reportedly kept a register of the applicants’ names but never delivered on his promises of employment.
The total amount defrauded from the complainants remains substantial, with the court noting that Chingarande targeted multiple individuals using the same deceptive methods.
The case is ongoing.
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