Zimbabwean Man Claims Job Offer Led to a Drug Ordeal in Oman

HARARE — A Zimbabwean man who says he was promised employment in Ethiopia has alleged that he was forced to transport suspected drugs before ending up in what he describes as captivity in Oman.

Benito Chimbaru claims he was introduced to a woman identified only as Memory by his former classmate, Kundai. According to Chimbaru, Memory offered him a job opportunity in Ethiopia.

After expressing interest in the offer, Chimbaru travelled by bus to South Africa in March. He later boarded a flight to Ethiopia using tickets which he alleges had been purchased by Kundai.

Upon arriving in Ethiopia, Chimbaru says he was received by a Nigerian man who took him to a hotel.

Chimbaru alleges that while at the hotel he was forced to swallow seven sachets containing substances he did not know at the time. He now believes the sachets contained drugs.

He claims he was later flown to Oman, where he eventually expelled the substances from his body.

According to Chimbaru, his ordeal did not end there. He alleges that after arriving in Oman, one of the agents involved held him against his will.

Despite the circumstances, Chimbaru managed to send a message to his mother, Clarisa Mashavira, 55, on May 25. In the message, he reportedly described his situation and explained that he only had limited access to his cellphone, making it difficult to provide more details.

Chimbaru also alleged that he was living under inhumane conditions. Following the message, Mashavira reported the matter to the police, accusing Memory and Kundai in connection with her son’s disappearance and alleged ordeal.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not be reached for comment. However, H-Metro is reliably informed that the matter was reported at Mabvuku Police Station under reference number RRB 6870338.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and no comment had been obtained from the individuals named in the report at the time of publication.