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Dr Andrew Matibiri

Agriculture Reporter
A suspected bogus company is recruiting people to work as data capturers during the tobacco selling season. The company, Pavlov Tobacco, is not registered with the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board as required by law.Pavlov Tobacco has been flighting an advertisement in the Press in which it has been responding to applicants via email.

Responding to applicants, the recruiting officer only identified as F. Ndlovu said shortlisted job seekers were expected to pay US$20 for an induction course of three days.

Ndlovu said the company was no longer able to hold interviews as there was little time left before the opening of the floors on February 19.

“You are required to deposit US$20 into the EcoCash account to cater for your teas, training materials and transport to and from Town House daily @ 08:30hrs.Deadline for confirmation is 25 Jan. Your deposit will act as your participation confirmation,” reads the  letter.
The EcoCash account is registered in one David Munoneya’s name. The mobile number is 0783 178 035.

A job seeker who received an emailed response  said he suspected that the company could be bogus from the way the letter was written.
“The company’s logo did not have any landline phone number. I tried to search the company on the internet and I could not find it. The letter also had several (grammatical) errors,” he said.

TIMB chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri confronted Munoneya who claimed the company was involved in tobacco buying and selling.
After learning that he was talking to a TIMB official, Munoneya hung up.

“Pavlov Tobacco is not registered with the TIMB. We are yet to issue licences to buyers.  No such company has lodged an application for a buyer’s licence with TIMB,” he said.

This reporter tried calling the number which went unanswered. After several calls the phone was switched off.  The tobacco selling season boosts business to many entrepreneurs. Criminals have also taken advantage of the period to fleece farmers of their hard- earned cash.