Villagers lose US$4,350 in fake nurse aide training scam

DESPERATE villagers in Gweru and Lower Gwelo have allegedly lost about US$4,350 to a bogus training organisation that promised short professional courses before disappearing without issuing certificates or completing the programmes.

The organisation, operating under the name **Zimbabwe Keys for Success Nurse Aide (ZKFSNA)**, allegedly conducted training in Vungu constituency without registering with or seeking clearance from traditional leaders or local authorities.

According to affected residents, the group recruited villagers by advertising three-week courses in Nurse Aide, Early Childhood Development (ECD), Mortuary Science and Pharmacy studies.

About 50 people enrolled, each paying US$62 for tuition and a further US$20 or more for compulsory uniforms.

The students comprised 10 from Gweru, eight from Makepesi and 32 from Maboleni.

Concerns reportedly emerged when organisers allegedly collected all the uniforms at the end of the training programme.

The organisation's leadership is said to have left Lower Gwelo in February 2026 after promising to return the following month for a graduation ceremony and the issuance of certificates. They have not returned, leaving students demanding answers.

"They took everything, including our money and the uniforms we paid for, and they did not even give us receipts," one victim, who requested anonymity, said.

"We thought this was our stepping stone to getting employment, but we were sold a dummy. US$87 is a lot of money to lose in this economy."

Another student, Sibongile, who attended classes at the Maboleni training centre, said only 13 of the 32 students managed to raise additional money to travel to Harare to meet the organisation's director, Tinashe Munemo, hoping to secure industrial attachment placements.

She alleged that instead of arranging the promised placements, Munemo took the group to his residence in Rusape before they returned home without assistance.

"I paid the attachment fee and graduation fee because I desperately needed the certificate. We paid for the attachment, but they still did not show up to give us direction," she said.

"I realised it was a scam when we went to meet Mr Munemo. He took us to his house in Rusape but did not help us get attachment.

"Only four out of the 13 managed to secure attachment, while the rest returned home empty-handed.

"Yesterday I called Mr Munemo asking about the certificates and graduation, but he told us he would send the certificates by bus. I am still shocked by his response."

Contacted for comment, Munemo denied defrauding the students and maintained that certificates could only be issued after trainees had completed their industrial attachment.

He acknowledged that some students had not received receipts for payments made during the programme.

"They should go for attachment first before they graduate. The problem is the language barrier," he said.

"Some have been calling me and insulting me in Ndebele, which I do not understand. Everything is in order.

"I have their certificates, but they should complete attachment first. Yes, I promised to help secure attachment placements, but the locations may not suit everyone.

"They should each pay an assessment fee of US$20 for us to facilitate the attachments. I cannot go door to door assisting everyone alone. They are not co-operating, and that is the main problem."

Traditional leaders in Lower Gwelo condemned the organisation for operating without notifying community authorities.

Chief Coldwell Bunina said he only became aware of the training programme after villagers reported losing money.

"Honestly, these people did not seek any form of clearance. I only discovered that they were operating in Lower Gwelo when villagers started reporting the matter to me," he said.

"I do not even know who their facilitators are because the whole process was never brought to the attention of local leaders.

"Perhaps they thought we would interfere with their plans to deceive villagers. It is unfortunate that they came to take the little that people had and failed to deliver the services they promised."

Vungu legislator Brown Ndlovu also confirmed that the organisation had not introduced itself to either traditional leaders or his office before operating in the constituency.

"The organisation did not introduce itself to community leaders or my office. It simply went directly into the community to exploit vulnerable people," he said.

"We urge residents to verify the credentials of any training institution with local authorities before parting with their money."

He also cautioned villagers against enrolling in unverified training programmes that promise quick qualifications without proper accreditation.

The allegations have not been tested in court, and no criminal charges have been announced in connection with the matter.