A SENIOR Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officer based in Bulawayo allegedly defrauded more than 50 unemployed nurses who paid him (more than $9,000) between $150 and $500 each after lying that he had secured jobs for them.
Superintendent Tendai Masakure, 45, who is employed in the ZPCS’s health department, allegedly lied to the nurses that he had secured them jobs at Premier Services Medical Aid Society.
He was allegedly paid the money between October 22 and November 30 this year.
Supt Masakure allegedly preyed on the desperate nurses who have failed to secure employment.
Victims told Chronicle that he invited them to his office at Mhlahlandlela Government Complex where they were made to pay him amounts ranging from $150 to $500 depending on the individual.
ZPCS national spokesperson Chief Superintendent Elizabeth Banda confirmed the scandal, saying investigations were underway.
“I can confirm receiving information on that. As an organisation we don’t condone such behaviour. Investigations are going on. Information is being gathered,” said Chief Supt Banda.
One of his victims yesterday narrated how they were conned by Supt Masakure.
“I was introduced to him by a friend and he asked for $500 from each of us to process our papers and get us uniforms. I was told to invite another person looking for employment as there were two vacancies so I told another friend of mine,” said a victim who declined to be named, fearing victimisation.
He said Supt Masakure used the same modus operandi to dupe other job seekers and he was aware that about 30 people fell victim.
“We only realised that we were told the same story when we got to his offices. Most of us knew each other so we became suspicious. We’re all told that they’re just two to three vacancies but it’s shocking to see so many of us. He also started dodging us when we inquired when we would be called for interviews,” he said.
Another source said they were convinced that Supt Masakure was genuine as he used his office to conduct interviews.
“It’s not something that happened in the streets. He actually called us to his offices at Mhlahlandlela and everything seemed legitimate. We are desperate for jobs and to me paying $150 was a small sacrifice, considering I’d get a job that might enable me to take care of my family for a long time,” he said.
Supt Masakure who was reportedly questioned has not been arrested and his cellphone has been ringing unanswered.
Chief Supt Banda said she could not pre-empt the ZPCS investigations by making assumptions on possible penalties that will be imposed on Supt Masakure if he is found guilty.
Although a comment could not be obtained from Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo, police sources confirmed the matter was under investigation.
Since 2009 nurses have been struggling to get employed following government’s decision to freeze nursing posts.
More than 3,000 nurses, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, are on the streets after graduating. Chronicle