By Christopher Jimu:
A group of conmen are said to be on the loose, targeting parks and wildlife officers who recently underwent physical interviews promising them jobs if they send them money through mobile money platforms.
According to sources the conmen are promising the yet to be recruited rangers that they will have a smooth sailing during written and oral interviews if they offer them bribes.
“This seems to be a syndicate of people trying to take advantage of helpless young men and women looking for employment. This seems to be a cancer which has been going on for along time and others have lost money to these masquerade,” said the source.
Director of Parks and Wildlife Brighton Kumchedwa also confirmed of the malpractice in an interview with a local radio today that some conmen are targeting would be recruits.
“My office has been receiving reports of some individual asking for money from the people who recently came for interviews. These people are spreading all sorts of lies saying even if one failed the physical test they will be helped to get the job if they offer them money through airtel money or mpamba. My plea is that if any person gets this phone or is approached they must inform us straight away because this is corruption,” said Kumchedwa.
With unemployment levels reaching unproportional heights many people are looking to the government to offer them jobs.
The trend has seen a lot of young men and women applying for jobs that were not attractive in the 1980’s and early 90’s because the country is failing to industrialise.
“We have seen that many people are desperate for jobs and with the private sector not offering more opportunities people are looking to the government. This is the reason why you see thousands applying to be either Policemen, soldiers, immigration officers as well as prison warders. This is also the reason why conmen are on the loose because they know many young men and women are desperate,” a labour expert who asked for anonymity told The Atlas.
