A message circulating on social media platform, WhatsApp encouraging aspiring nurses between the ages of 17 and 35 to apply to the Ministry of Health and Child Care is a scam.
In the message candidates are urged to pay a fee of US$10 or $70 000 in local currency for their applications to be successful into two different CABS accounts.
Part of the message reads:
“Application fee of 10 USD must be paid in our bank account and use your name as reference 1142502880 CABS( RTGS)70 000RTGS. 1143311892 CABS (USD) 10USD. You can use Ecocash to pay by dialing *151* and select (send money) only RTGS then select option 3 (send to account) then you select send to bank(option 1) and you will select (CABS) on bank list then you will just enter our bank account number (1142502880) and dial then you will enter your name as a reference.”
How does the ministry announce intakes?
Zimbabwe uses an online system to recruit people for nurse training. The system takes students for the three intakes in a year – January, May and September. The last intake was in November 2022.
An example of the process is on the website:
- Application Process: The application portal will be open from 25th July 2022, and candidates must submit their applications by 7th August 2022. The application form is available on the Ministry of Health & Child Care Electronic Platform (www.mohcc.gov.zw) under the “e-nurse” link. Candidates should register on the website to begin the application process.
A page on the United Bulawayo Hopsitals, which is a nurse training hospital says that E recruitment information can obtained at the Ministry of Health website: mohcc.gov.zw/
Government departments,including the Ministry of Health, use a formal way of advertising. This includes their website, print media (newspapers), television and even radio.
None of these platforms are carrying this particular advert.
In an interview with the Zimbabwe Nurses Association president, Enock Dongo, he said as far as he knows, there is no recruitment currently.
In another interview with Mpilo Hospital Chief Executive Officer Narcicius Dzvanga, he said his hospital is not receiving any application as of now.
“I have no idea that such a thing is happening. I believe it’s a scam because authentic adverts come from the Ministry of Health and Childcare website. If it is not there, then it is fake,” he said.
Another red flag is the payment of US$10 to an unnamed account, or ZWL$70000.
Conclusion
A message claiming that the health ministry is recruiting nurses is fake. It does not appear on their official advertising platforms.
