Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
Allan Wilson High School headmaster Tafara Zhou who appeared in court last month accused of sexually assaulting a male student, has filed an extortion complaint against the student.
Zhou is accusing the student, who is no longer enrolled at the school, of extorting US$15 000 from him to facilitate the withdrawal of his aggravated indecent assault case that is pending at Harare Magistrate’s Court.
The former student Tanaka Elvis Sikwavaile (19) and his accomplice Charles Masiyandaita appeared before Harare magistrate Apollonia Marutya charged with extortion.
Masiyandaita is a former teacher at Allan Wilson High School.
The court heard that on April 12, Zhou was arrested on charges of aggravated indecent assault on the former student and was released on free bail as he was coming from home.
After being remanded out of custody, Zhou changed his phone number.
The State alleged that on April 25, Mr Emmanuel Venge, Allan Wilson School Development Committee vice chairperson and friend to Zhou received a call from Masiyandaita who is the purported guardian to Sikwavaile, informing him that he was not able to get hold of Zhou.
Masiyandaita allegedly requested Mr Venge to engage Zhou to pay US$15 000 to facilitate the withdrawal of the aggravated indecent assault case.
Masiyandaita constantly called Mr Venge reminding him that if Zhou failed to pay the money, he would ensure that the matter goes to trial and he would be jailed.
Mr Venge informed Zhou who said he didn’t have the money and wasn’t interested in participating in any illegal activity.
The matter was immediately reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. The court heard that upon receiving the case the team from ZACC requested Mr Venge to call Masiyandita to confirm that indeed he was the one extorting him and he confirmed that he needed US$15 000 to ensure the withdrawal of the matter.
They arranged to meet at Montague Shopping Centre in the Avenues where Masiyandaita and Sikwavaile were arrested after receiving US$200.
