Tinotenda Hove – A primary and secondary school teacher from Mutare is facing fraud charges after she allegedly conned two women out of US$1,100 by guaranteeing them teaching posts that never materialised.

Melline Chirinda, 40, who is employed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, was picked up by Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission detectives on Thursday. She was brought before Mutare Magistrates’ Court on Friday and charged with two counts of fraud.

Court papers allege that in January 2025, Chirinda introduced herself to Mercylyn Gonouya, 34, of Chigodora as “Ms Martin”. She convinced Gonouya she could secure her a teaching position for a US$700 “processing fee”. Gonouya handed over US$550. After the payment, Chirinda went silent and ignored calls and messages. Gonouya later matched the profile picture of “Ms Martin” to Chirinda’s Facebook account.

When Gonouya confronted Chirinda with her husband in February 2026 demanding a refund, Chirinda reportedly claimed she had already forwarded the cash to other people. Following a summons by Ministry officials on 13 May 2026, she eventually returned the US$550.

ZACC says Chirinda pulled a similar trick on Tafadzwa Hellen Mutseyangwa, 37, a self-employed woman living at Mutare Rural Police Camp. In January 2026, Chirinda promised Mutseyangwa a teaching job within seven days after collecting US$550. The accused later dodged questions and could not produce any WhatsApp evidence of recruitment, according to the charge sheet. That money remains unpaid.

ZACC received the complaint on 20 May 2026 and arrested Chirinda on 28 May 2026. While both victims were swindled out of US$550 each, only Gonouya has been reimbursed so far.

Chirinda was remanded to 15 June 2026 after being granted US$100 bail by the Mutare court.