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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The courts here have jailed two women for three years each for defrauding nursing job -seekers of $850 after falsely promising to arrange employment at Neshuro Hospital in Masvingo Province. Mercy Chikutuva (26) of Dulivhadzimo — reported to have been the scout — was sentenced to an effective two years in jail while her accomplice Loyce Muswe (52) of Chief Musarurwa — who pretended to be a matron — will spend three years behind bars.

The two, who were jointly charged for fraud, were convicted on their own plea of guilty when they appeared before Mr Trevor Nyatsanza last Friday. For the State prosecutor, Mr Tsika Mafunga told the court that Chikutuva and Muswe connived to dupe prospective job-seekers of their money. He said on October 5, Chikutuva went to the first victim, Angela Magomo’s house in Dulivhadzimo wearing a nurses’ uniform and pretended to be looking for people interested in nursing jobs at Neshuro Hospital. Chikutuva lured the unsuspecting Magomo asking her to pay a $45 entrance fee after which she sent the money to Muswe via mobile money transfer facility. Muswe then sent a text message to Magomo confirming receipt and that she will send further instructions. Mr Mafunga said on the following day, Chikutuva went to Magomo and asked for $310 in tuition fees, which she was paid. The pair demanded another $100 for books to be used at the hospital.

The court further heard that using the same modus operandi, Chikutuva and Muswe duped Mogomo’s sister of $200. The two ran out of lucky on October 12 when their victims got suspicious of their continued demands and reported the matter to the police. The accused persons were subsequently arrested and only $35 dollars was recovered from them.