A suspected fraudster Martin Mutize acting as a human resources officer at Delta Corporation in Southerton is accused of defrauding eight students from Harare Polytechnic of US$9,500 by promising them industrial attachment opportunities.
Martin Mutize, 25, appeared before Mbare magistrate Rangarirai Gakanje to answer to allegations of fraud.
The court was informed by prosecutor Mrs. Hazvinei Rukande that Mutize hatched a scheme in September 2023 to trick students looking for work-related attachments. Mutize contacted Keith Mutize, a Harare Polytechnic student and his uncle, to locate students who could be interested in attachments at Delta Corporation.
Through a collegiate WhatsApp group, Keith alerted his peers, and a number of them responded. After the students got in touch with Mutize, he verified that he was employed by Delta Corporation and could get them attachment opportunities.
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Mutize utilized two different cellphone numbers, one of which he used to pretend to be Martin Mutize and the other to be Mr. Phiri, a Delta Corporation HR officer.
Mutize told the students that in order to guarantee their attachment places, they would need to pay fees. He tricked the students into thinking he could help with their placements by posing as an employee of Delta Corporation.
Because of this, the students gave Mutize a total of US$9,500 in cash and via his Ecocash account, thinking the funds were for medical exams, toolboxes, and clothes.
On May 2, 2024, Mutize was taken into custody by detectives in relation to the case. A total of US$9,500 was lost by the pupils, and none of the money was found again.
