Zanu PF extotionists granted bail

Four Zanu-PF youth members, who allegedly used President Mnangagwa’s name to extort a mine owner in Shangani of US$12 000, have been granted bail.

Blessed Mushando (27), Gostaff Gomo (37) Isaac Makore (37) and Tichaona Chinosengwa (35) are facing a charge of extortion after they duped Priscilla Ncube her mine in Shangani claiming the president had targeted it to turn around the economy as it had rich gold deposits

Mushando’s legal representative, Nkosiyabo Sibanda of Tanaka Law Chambers won him a $300 bail. Gomo, Makore and Chinosengwa all from Kwekwe who appeared separately from Mushando, are represented by Bosswell Chideme of Mavhunga and Associates. They were freed on a $100 bail. Bulawayo magistrate Franklin Mkhawananzi remanded Mushando to June 18 while the trio was remanded to July 7 for provision of trial dates.
According to court records as presented by Mufaro Mageza, Gomo, Makore and Chinosengwa on March 5 this year drove a Zanu-PF (Zhombe) branded vehicle to Shangani, where they met Ncube at Tobo mining syndicate.

Mageza said the trio threatened Ncube, citing they were under instructions to tell her to vacate the mine, failure to which unspecified action would be taken against her. Mushando, the court heard, went to the same mine on March 24 where he misrepresented himself to Ncube before telling her to pay $12 000 to secure the mine.

“Mushando, on that day extorted Ncube of USD$2 000. He told her the mine had been targeted by the President’s Office in turning around the economy, as it was rich in gold,” said Mageza.

“Mushando was allegedly given the money by one Dumisani Ndlovu on behalf of Ms Ncube. On 26 March he contacted Ncube, while he was in Harare telling her that she needed to pay the balance to conclude the deal. Ncube paid the US$10 000 with the hope that the mine would indeed be secured,” he said.

Zanu PF extotionists granted bail
Mageza said Ncube later realised she had been duped and made a report to the police leading to the arrest of the quartet.