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Andrew Chimedza Herald Reporter
The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has raised an alert over a scam circulating on social media that it is recruiting people at military barracks in Bulawayo, the country’s second largest city.

In a statement, AFZ public relations officer Squadron Leader Simon Matingwina advised job seekers to ignore WhatsApp messages that had gone viral on social media claiming that the organisation was embarking on a recruitment exercise at 1 Brigade, Imbizo Barracks, Llewellyn Barracks and the non-existent “Joshua Mqabuko Brigade.”

“The AFZ would like to advise members of the public that there is no such recruitment and that the organisation does not communicate through social media platforms,” he said.

“In view of these false messages, members of the public are urged to cease circulating the messages and report to the nearest police station any individual or individuals masquerading as AFZ recruiting personnel.” The advice came after several people turned up at various military barracks for selection in response to a hoax job advertisement on social media.

Squadron Leader Matingwina said the AFZ always advertised in mainstream media first before prospective applicants could apply for posts in Air Force of Zimbabwe.

He said the general public must report any person who would put out such false information to the police for possible prosecution.

The public, he said, was also free to contact the AFZ public relations department on 04-799529 or 0716801081 for assistance.

In the past few months, scores of job seekers have fallen prey to bogus recruitment scams which has seen some people being fleeced of their money.

Last December, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services issued an alert over a similar scam that circulated extensively on social media.