Conman jailed for fleecing job seekers of over US$10,000
A BOGUS Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) ranger is in soup after swindling job seekers of over US$10,000 on the promise he would get them employment.
William Clive Makayi (31) was recently convicted of six counts of fraud and one count of impersonating a public official.
He was sentenced to an effective 36 months imprisonment.
The court heard that between June 2023 and October this year, the offender misrepresented to members of the public that he was a ZimParks ranger, promising to recruit and train them at Lake Chivero and Marongora National Park.
It was further heard that Makayi used fake authority, uniforms and Ecocash accounts registered in third-party names, including his wife, to receive payments. These money was purportedly for uniforms, trunks and training expenses.
As a result of offender’s misrepresentation, victims from Magunje, Karoi, Zvimba, Chinhoyi and Harare lost over US$10,000.
Acting on a tip-off, the police recovered parks uniforms and related apparel from the offender’s residence, leading to his arrest.
Following sentencing, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) urged members of the public to be wary of scammers.
“Recruitment into government institutions is never done through middlemen or involve payment demands. Always verify information through official channels,” said the NPAZ. _*NewZimbabwe*_
