Zimloan Blasted For Plan To Offer Betting Loans: “This Is Criminal!”
A social media post by an account claiming to represent microfinance company Zimloan has triggered a storm of criticism after it announced a plan to allow customers to borrow money directly into their betting accounts. The post, made on 1 August 2025, was widely condemned by the public, with critics calling it predatory, irresponsible, and a threat to society.
The controversial message, posted on X by @zimloan, reads:
“In a few days you will be able to borrow into your betting account directly
.
MWOS, BezBets & BolaBet.
A bold step into greatness!!”
The post ignited immediate and widespread backlash across the platform.
“Parliament must stop this madness”
Dozens of users, including journalists and activists, voiced concern that the scheme—if real—could worsen poverty and gambling addiction in Zimbabwe.
Prominent social media commentator Solomon Harudzibwi expressed frustration, writing:
“Parliament needs to step up and stop this nonsense. But then again, Parliament in Zimbabwe was never about the people.”
Another user, @_denn1s, called the announcement:
“The most unethical tweet I’ve seen all year. I’m not being hyperbolical. What???”
User @Arumlily92 urged lawmakers to intervene:
“Oh no! No! Somebody stop this! A member of parliament? Anyone?”
Others questioned why the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and financial regulators had not acted.
@Tawazzz demanded action:
“The financial regulator in Zimbabwe should clamp down on you, you are a shameless microfinance company.”
“A bold step into poverty”
The alleged partnership between the lender and betting platforms like MWOS, BezBets, and BolaBet was viewed by many as an attack on the poor and unemployed.
User @real_simbamun warned:
“This is one of the most dangerous posts on X right now. Never. I repeat NEVER borrow money to gamble.”
Muzi Ndlovu asked:
“How are microfinance institutions and betting companies openly allowed to collaborate so as to prey on the most vulnerable???”
A more visceral reaction came from @Chibaba, who wrote in Shona:
“Once you borrow from them unorohwa nehurombo nehurombe hunosiririsa. Mari yavo haibatwe nyangwe watambura sei.”
(Once you borrow from them, you’re struck by deep and miserable poverty. Their money won’t help you, no matter how desperate you are.)
@TanatswaMhazi mocked the development, tweeting:
“Pakubikwa marombe pro max.”
(We are cooking up extreme poverty at the highest level.)
Others criticised the financial logic of such a product. @TinasheGodwillM said:
“Why would you borrow Tom to pay Jack, moreso when you will have to pay back Tom at usurious rates?”
Regulators urged to intervene
The post also reignited debate about the role of financial regulators in Zimbabwe. Several users accused the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Consumer Protection Commission of failing in their duties.
@itsMcDon lashed out:
“This is why regulators are essential, but in @ReserveBankZIM we have a useless regulator!”
@madabukakusa added:
“Regulators should not allow this.”
And @FoxGava007 was even more scathing:
“Shame on you, this is predatory behaviour. If only Zim had consumer protection laws…”
User @Tkzee_27 summed up the sentiment felt by many:
“Haaaaa vanhu vakuzonyatsa ita marombe chaiwo.”
(People are truly being driven into extreme poverty.)
At the time of writing, Zimloan had not issued any clarification or response to the backlash.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Parliament have also not issued any public statement regarding the planned betting loans.
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The post Zimloan Betting Loan Tweet Sparks Outrage Across Zimbabwe appeared first on iHarare News.
