News / National
Zimbabwean 'offered' a job in Ethiopia, ends up in Oman
05 Jun 2026 at 14:14hrs |
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A Zimbabwean man who travelled to Ethiopia after being promised employment has alleged that he was forced to transport drugs and is now being held against his will in Oman.
The man, Benito Chimbaru, claims he was recruited through an agent identified only as Memory after being introduced by a former classmate known as Kundai.
According to information provided by his family, Memory allegedly offered Chimbaru a job opportunity in Ethiopia, prompting him to leave Zimbabwe in March in search of employment.
Chimbaru reportedly travelled by bus to South Africa before boarding a flight to Ethiopia using tickets allegedly purchased by Kundai.
Upon arriving in Ethiopia, he was allegedly met by a Nigerian national who took him to a hotel.
It was there, according to Chimbaru's account, that he was forced to swallow seven sachets containing unknown substances, which he now believes were illicit drugs.
He was subsequently flown to Oman, where he allegedly excreted the sachets before being detained by one of the agents involved in the operation.
The alleged ordeal came to light after Chimbaru managed to send a message to his mother, Clarisa Mashavira (55), on May 25.
In the message, he reportedly indicated that he had limited access to his cellphone and could only communicate briefly. He also described what he claimed were harsh and inhumane conditions under which he was being held.
Concerned about her son's safety, Mashavira reported the matter to the police, naming both Memory and Kundai in her complaint.
While national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not be reached for comment, sources indicated that the matter was reported at Mabvuku Police Station under reference number RRB 6870338.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding Chimbaru's recruitment, travel arrangements and allegations that he was coerced into participating in an international drug trafficking operation.
The case highlights growing concerns over fraudulent overseas job offers that target vulnerable job seekers and allegedly expose them to exploitation, human trafficking and transnational criminal networks.
Police have not yet released an official statement on the matter.
The man, Benito Chimbaru, claims he was recruited through an agent identified only as Memory after being introduced by a former classmate known as Kundai.
According to information provided by his family, Memory allegedly offered Chimbaru a job opportunity in Ethiopia, prompting him to leave Zimbabwe in March in search of employment.
Chimbaru reportedly travelled by bus to South Africa before boarding a flight to Ethiopia using tickets allegedly purchased by Kundai.
Upon arriving in Ethiopia, he was allegedly met by a Nigerian national who took him to a hotel.
It was there, according to Chimbaru's account, that he was forced to swallow seven sachets containing unknown substances, which he now believes were illicit drugs.
He was subsequently flown to Oman, where he allegedly excreted the sachets before being detained by one of the agents involved in the operation.
The alleged ordeal came to light after Chimbaru managed to send a message to his mother, Clarisa Mashavira (55), on May 25.
In the message, he reportedly indicated that he had limited access to his cellphone and could only communicate briefly. He also described what he claimed were harsh and inhumane conditions under which he was being held.
Concerned about her son's safety, Mashavira reported the matter to the police, naming both Memory and Kundai in her complaint.
While national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not be reached for comment, sources indicated that the matter was reported at Mabvuku Police Station under reference number RRB 6870338.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding Chimbaru's recruitment, travel arrangements and allegations that he was coerced into participating in an international drug trafficking operation.
The case highlights growing concerns over fraudulent overseas job offers that target vulnerable job seekers and allegedly expose them to exploitation, human trafficking and transnational criminal networks.
Police have not yet released an official statement on the matter.
Source - online
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