Duo Nabbed For Originating US$20 000 Worth Of Fake COVID-19 Certificates

05/12/2020Last Updated: 05/12/2020

161 1 minute read

Two people have been nabbed by the police for originating fake COVID-19 certificates at Chirundu Border Post.

The two, Simbarashe Tsetse (24) and Freddy Katamanga (31), were arrested following a tipoff from members of the public. They were charging US$60 per certificate and when they were arrested they had just received US$120 from two travellers.

After the arrest, Police recovered 334 blank stamped COVID-19 certificates, 2 tubes containing glass capillaries, two testing kits, 2 receipt books, 3 plastic capillaries, COVID-19 test record register, methylated spirit bottle and one packet of new needles in their office at Self-Med Complex.

The 334 certificates at their rate of US$60 are worth a massive US$20 040.

The duo, who have no medical qualifications, were taking advantage of desperate travellers who were being turned away at the border post for lack of COVID certificates.

Zimbabwe opened its borders for passengers and private vehicles last Monday under strict conditions to contain the spread of the virus. One of the requirements is that travellers are to have a valid COVID-19 certificate.

Hundreds of travellers, including two footballers destined for a team in Palapye, ended up being stranded at the countries borders due to failure to produce these certificates.

This created an opportunity for conmen to take advantage of the situation and offer solutions to these distressed travellers.