Councillor in 'fake employment scam'

FIRED Bulawayo Ward 21 councillor, Mr Reuben Matengu has allegedly been caught up in a fake employment scam where he is allegedly soliciting $6 from residents in exchange for employment opportunities.

Mr Matengu was dismissed from the local authority last year after a Government instituted investigation found him guilty of gross misconduct.

The former councillor was found on the wrong side of the law after he sold a residential stand in Southwold which he had bought under a special facility which gave him a considerable discount in the purchase but was not supposed to resell it.

In the latest developments, investigations by Sunday News revealed that Mr Matengu on Wednesday convened a meeting at Tshabalala Housing Office where he promised residents employment on condition they pay $6. The money was reportedly said to go to a digital currency firm who would then pay the desperate employment seekers only in digital currency.

Contacted for comment, Mr Matengu said while it was true that residents were being offered employment, he denied being behind the facility.

"It is actually the residents who approached me and introduced me to this company called Sound Prosperity. The company, upon discussions, claimed that a number of Sizinda and Tshabalala residents had been approaching them in Cowdray Park where they are based, seeking employment, which is why they had suggested to spread their reach to the ward.

"What happens is that this company employs residents to do jobs within their communities, like collecting garbage, cleaning schools, among other jobs. Residents are then paid in digital currency called spat coins which is more of an investment, that is why they have to part with a nominal fee for them to be employed. All I did was to facilitate that residents meet the company," said Mr Matengu.

He said he had not tried to influence residents to join the company at all but had advised them that the decision to pay the required money was their own choice.

However, residents who spoke to Sunday News accused the former councillor of attempting to mislead them to join the firm as a vote-buying attempt amid reports that he was interested in becoming an MP as he was no longer eligible to contest in the local government elections after his dismissal from the local authority.

"On Wednesday he openly declared that he will be taking over as MP, claiming the current Bulawayo South MP, Mr Eddie Cross will not be representing their party (MDC-T) in the upcoming elections.

"What worries us as residents is that he is taking innocent old people who live in the suburb for granted.

"Imagine they are being forced to pay their hard earned $6, it is very disappointing, I wish someone can just come and stop Mr Matengu and his people from this criminal act," said Mr Boniface Sibanda.

A member of the Tshabalala Residents Association, who declined to be named, said they were in the process of compiling names of all the residents who had paid Mr Matengu with the hope of handing over the list to the police and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission for investigation.

"What boggles the mind is that this man was fired as a councillor but he still acts like one, using council facilities willy-nilly, something really has to be done," said the member.