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Timoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
A 55-year-old man who masqueraded as an employment agent and allegedly duped 14 people who gave him money in exchange for jobs at different organisations was yesterday hauled before the courts.Wiseman Chinhengo of Windsor Park in Gweru appeared before magistrate Tendai Madanire facing 14 counts of fraud.

For the state, Kelvin Guvheya told the court that in May this year, Chinhengo told Nyaradzo Dapu that he was an employment agent and he could help her secure employment at Unki Mine in Shurugwi.

The court heard that after some days, Chinhengo phoned Dapu telling her that Unki Mines management wanted $100 as fees for processing her application.

Guvheya said the accused also demanded another $100 for “persuading” the management to speed up the process.

On May 24 the court heard Chinhengo was at it again as he emailed Dapu telling her there were vacancies at Mimosa Mine in Zvishavane and asked her to forward  his email address to interested individuals so that they could forward their curriculum vitae.

The court heard that Dapu identified two people identified as Knowledge and Kerias who each sent $100.

Guvheya said the money was surrendered to Chinhengo again.

He said during the same month, Chinhengo told Dapu to look for general hands whom he alleged were to be employed by Unki Mine.

It is alleged that Chinhengo instructed those interested to bring their curriculum vitaes together with $100 each for processing.

The court heard that Dapu then identified a friend only known as Novality and her nephew Brilliant Matika. Dapu also paid $200 to Chinhengo so that two more friends, identified as Tinevimbo and Thelma, could be employed.

The state also alleges that Chinhengo promised one Fadzai Dongo a job at Pick’n Pay in Gweru after she paid $30 and submitted her certificates to the accused.

The court heard that Dongo was promised to start work as soon as the giant supermarket opened its doors to the public for the first time.

Guvheya said another victim, Raymond Matura, was also duped in similar fashion by Chinhengo.

He said the accused man promised Matura a job at Unki mine.

Guvheya alleged that Chinhengo demanded $300 from Matura for the speedy processing of the application.

He said Matura told Chinhengo that he only had $50 on him and the accused took the money.

The court heard that Chinhengo repeated the same trick on nine other individuals who paid varying amounts of money as “processing fees”.

Guvheya said all the money amounting to $2,217 was not recovered.