By Tapiwa Svondo
THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has issued a warning to the public regarding a rising number of fraudulent recruiting agents exploiting unsuspecting job seekers.
The scammers are posing as official recruitment officers, soliciting money from potential candidates.
In a statement, director public relations, Colonel Alphios Makotore, expressed deep concern over canny tactics employed by criminals, who are increasingly utilising social media platforms and distributing fake recruitment advertisements to lure victims.
“These criminals pose as recruitment officers conducting official recruitment programmes and/or exercises. In the process, they demand money from prospective candidates.
“The unscrupulous individuals are using various tactics, including social media platforms and fake recruitment notices and advertisements to deceive people into parting with their hard-earned money in exchange for false promises of employment within the ZNA.
“The ZNA is raising these concerns because the organisation has been issuing several warnings and notices in both print and electronic media.
“However, members of the public continue to fall victim as the criminals have now become so daring to the extent of flighting advertisements and notices on social media requesting for prospective candidates to present themselves for medical examinations,” said Makotore.
The ZNA reiterated that it neither charges fees for recruitment nor involves any third parties in its official hiring processes.
“The ZNA would want to stress that it neither charges any fee for recruitment or training nor include third parties. All medical examinations are done by the army and there are no fees charged for the service.
“Recruitment processes are conducted through official channels, and it is pertinent to repeat that all recruitments are free of charge,” stressed Makotore.
Furthermore, the ZNA urged the public to verify the legitimacy of any recruitment adverts or agents by consulting with local ZNA camps.
“To avoid falling victim to these scams, the public must always verify the authenticity of any recruitment advertisement or agent through the official ZNA channels. People are advised not to entertain any requests for payment or personal financial information.
“The public must take note that all ZNA recruitment programmes are advertised in the mainstream print and electronic media. Prospective applicants would then respond through written applications, after which selections are carried out at designated military camps throughout the country’s provinces.”
