A Plumtree nurse has been suspended over claims that she took cash from families desperate to get their kids into nursing school. Eustina Tshuma, who works at Plumtree District Hospital in Zimbabwe, faces an inquiry after several people accused her of taking their money and failing to deliver the places she had promised.
Some parents even sold cows and goats to pay her. That's a lot to risk for a shot at a career. Each deal allegedly cost as much as US$1,500, with Tshuma said to have claimed she knew people in the Ministry of Health and Child Care who could arrange entry for students.
One school that came up in the complaints was Brunapeg Mission, in Mangwe District. The families say they had hoped their kids would get a chance to train as nurses. Instead, they claim, they lost cash they could barely afford to part with.
And it wasn't just parents who had complaints. Fellow staff, residents, and people hoping to enter the field also accused Tshuma of taking funds from them.
There was another claim as well. Some people allege that Tshuma asked for loans because her parents were ill and she needed help with their care. Those who later sought their cash back say she reacted with anger rather than giving refunds.
The alleged victims have since set up a WhatsApp chat named Scammed by Eustina. Members use it to share what went on and weigh up whether to file police reports as a group.
A staff member at the hospital has backed up the news of Tshuma's suspension. Her case remains under review, and the claims against her have yet to be proven. Meanwhile, the people who handed over cash still want answers about what happened to it.
Some parents even sold cows and goats to pay her. That's a lot to risk for a shot at a career. Each deal allegedly cost as much as US$1,500, with Tshuma said to have claimed she knew people in the Ministry of Health and Child Care who could arrange entry for students.
One school that came up in the complaints was Brunapeg Mission, in Mangwe District. The families say they had hoped their kids would get a chance to train as nurses. Instead, they claim, they lost cash they could barely afford to part with.
And it wasn't just parents who had complaints. Fellow staff, residents, and people hoping to enter the field also accused Tshuma of taking funds from them.
There was another claim as well. Some people allege that Tshuma asked for loans because her parents were ill and she needed help with their care. Those who later sought their cash back say she reacted with anger rather than giving refunds.
The alleged victims have since set up a WhatsApp chat named Scammed by Eustina. Members use it to share what went on and weigh up whether to file police reports as a group.
A staff member at the hospital has backed up the news of Tshuma's suspension. Her case remains under review, and the claims against her have yet to be proven. Meanwhile, the people who handed over cash still want answers about what happened to it.
