Zimbabwe’s struggle with formal employment is a long and arduous tale, stretching back over two decades. Successive governments have grappled with this persistent issue, yet the formal employment rate remains distressingly low. Some estimates paint a grim picture, suggesting unemployment figures as high as 90% . The resilience of the Zimbabwean economy, preventing a complete catastrophe, can be largely attributed to the informal sector, which has commendably stepped in to bridge this enormous gap . Consequently, a significant portion of the population is self-employed, often juggling multiple ventures even when holding down a formal job. Zimbabwe is a nation of hustlers, yet the allure of stable, formal employment, with its perceived security and benefits, remains a powerful aspiration for many. This desire for formal work, even as a supplement to other income streams, means that even those not technically unemployed are often still actively seeking better or more secure positions.

This pervasive job scarcity has created a labour market heavily skewed in favour of employers. Prospective employers often have their pick of highly skilled individuals who are frequently underpaid. This imbalance has, unfortunately, paved the way for exploitative labour practices. Employees may find themselves denied legitimate leave, facing chronic delays in salary payments, and earning significantly less than their counterparts in other nations . The fear of easily being replaced by a long line of equally desperate candidates often silences complaints. Furthermore, it is not unheard of for individuals in positions of power to abuse their authority, with reports of male bosses harassing female employees or soliciting sexual favours in exchange for job opportunities or continued employment.

A Deceptive New Scam Targets Skilled Welders

Recently, a particularly brazen and cunning group of fake employers has emerged, preying on the desperation of skilled welders. These “employers” orchestrate elaborate, fictitious interview and recruitment drives, specifically targeting welders with enticing but ultimately bogus job offers.

Their modus operandi is deceptively simple yet cruelly effective. They begin by disseminating job advertisements across various social media platforms, calling for welders to apply for positions within their supposed company. The advertisements typically claim they are looking to hire a small team of welders, usually between three and five individuals. The bait is a highly attractive employment package, often boasting a generous salary of up to US$800 per month.

For many welders, earning US$800 in a month is achievable, but it is heavily dependent on a consistent flow of contracts and a ready client base. The welding market is fiercely competitive, making it difficult for self-employed welders to guarantee such an income month after month. While good months can certainly yield such returns, the lack of predictability is a significant stressor. Therefore, the prospect of a steady, salaried position with a company is highly appealing. Formal employment offers guaranteed income, the opportunity to gain further experience, and the chance to network with clients who could potentially become private customers in the future. Many welders also maintain their own home-based workshops, allowing them to supplement their income after hours, further diversifying their earnings.

According to several individuals who narrowly avoided or fell victim to this scam, the “employers” then proceed to conduct what appear to be legitimate recruitment interviews. Given the technical nature of welding, candidates are, quite reasonably, expected to demonstrate their practical skills. This is where the core of the deception lies. Interviewees are tasked with fabricating various items, such as doors and window frames, based on a provided list or “itenary.” Candidates might be asked to produce as many as five different items, which they are told will be evaluated by the interviewers.

The hopeful welders are informed that their work will be assessed, and only those shortlisted will be contacted with a formal offer of employment. The scammers rely on the unfortunate reality of the Zimbabwean job market: most candidates, accustomed to silence after an interview, will not aggressively follow up. Scores of welders often attend these “interviews,” resulting in the creation of hundreds of high-quality, finished metal products.

The nefarious truth is that these scammers have no intention of hiring anyone. Instead, they often have existing contracts or orders that they need to fulfil on short notice but lack the necessary skilled labour or perhaps even the skills themselves. They cleverly use the specifications from their actual clients to design these fake interview tasks, thereby acquiring a significant volume of skilled labour completely free of charge. To cover their tracks and avoid detection, these groups frequently change their interview venues and alter the details in their job advertisements.

Consider the economics of this deception. A standard ND4 window frame, a common four-pane window, can sell for between US$80 and US$106. While material costs can account for up to 50% of this price, the most significant portion of the value lies in the skilled labour required for its fabrication. This means that for each window of that size, the scammers are potentially pocketing as much as US$60. If, through one of these fake interview cycles, they manage to get 100 such items made, they could be walking away with a staggering US$6000, all from a single, fraudulent recruitment exercise.

Not the First Deception in a Vulnerable Market

This welding job scam, while particularly cynical in its exploitation of skilled artisans, is unfortunately not an isolated incident in Zimbabwe’s job market. Several other scams have been operating for years, preying on the hopes of the unemployed.

One of the most notorious and long-running schemes is the “Till Operator and Security Guard Scam” . This scam is perpetrated by individuals and groups so audacious they have even established semi-permanent offices in and around Harare’s Central Business District (CBD) to conduct their fraudulent activities. Similar to the welding scam, they use fake advertisements on social media and even plaster posters around town. They lure their victims with promises of employment as till operators for well-known supermarket chains like OK, Pick N Pay, and Spar, or as guards for security companies. The narrative they spin is that these reputable companies prefer not to deal with the “hassle” of recruiting and training inexperienced individuals directly. Instead, these “agents” claim to have been tasked with the entire recruitment and training process.

The promised remuneration is often inflated, with claims of salaries up to US$500, along with benefits like free transport, food, and rent allowances. The catch? Prospective employees are required to pay a “training fee,” which can be as much as US$50. After parting with their money, the victims undergo weeks of “training,” which is often substandard and not fit for its purported purpose. Once the “training” is complete, the hopeful candidates are told to go home and await a phone call offering them a position – a call that, invariably, never comes.

Other prevalent scams include fake government job offers, where applicants are required to pay non-refundable “administrative” or “processing” fees . The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) have both issued public warnings about such fraudulent advertisements circulating on social media, falsely claiming to offer employment opportunities. These scams often use sophisticated tactics, including sponsored social media ads and mimicking official communication styles, sometimes even using publicly accessible email services like Gmail, which unfortunately, some legitimate government departments also use, making it harder for job seekers to distinguish fakes. Scammers might also create a false sense of urgency or exclusivity around these “opportunities”.

Unfortunately, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) often appear ill-equipped or overwhelmed when it comes to tackling these sophisticated scams . Some of these schemes, like the welding job scam, are cleverly designed to exploit legal loopholes. Proving in a court of law that the “interviews” were a deliberate scam to obtain free labour, rather than a genuine (albeit perhaps poorly managed) recruitment attempt that simply did not result in hires, could be challenging.

In such a precarious environment, vigilance is the job seeker’s best defence . It is crucial to be wary of unsolicited job offers, especially those that seem too good to be true or promise exceptionally high salaries for minimal experience. Legitimate employers rarely ask for upfront payments for training, uniforms, or processing fees. Job seekers should always try to verify the legitimacy of a company and its job offers through official channels, such as the company’s official website or human resources department, rather than relying solely on social media posts or unsolicited messages . Vague job descriptions, overly casual interview processes conducted solely via social media or messaging apps, and requests for sensitive personal or financial information early in the application process are all significant red flags.

The pervasiveness of these scams underscores the profound desperation born from high unemployment and economic hardship, making individuals more vulnerable to exploitation. Until the fundamental issues of job creation and economic stability are addressed, these predatory schemes will likely continue to find fertile ground.