dyton mupawaenda
Zvikomborero Parafini
TWO men are facing extortion charges after they allegedly connived with their accomplices to extort a Chinese investor.
Samuel Zvishamiso Simbabure and Respect Zuva appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, who remanded them in custody.
Their lawyers told her they intend to file an application opposing their placement on remand.
Their lawyers are arguing that there’s no reasonable suspicion linking them to the offence.
The complainant is Enjie Zhang.
Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje alleged that on October 19, the duo, and their four accomplices who are at large, went to Murodzi Mining Claim in Concession, using a dark blue Toyota Hilux GD6 double cab, without registration number plates.
They introduced themselves as members from the Criminal Investigation Department.
They ordered Zhang and 25 mine workers to gather at one place and to sit down.
Simbabure allegedly threatened to shoot them with a pistol, which was on his waist, if they raised any alarm.
They ordered Zhang and his fellow Chinese nationals — Jinliang Xue, Hang Hainglin and Shan Dong Zhou — to produce their identity documents, mining certificates and work permits.
They complied but failed to produce the mining certificates and work permits which they said were in the custody of the General Manager, Ms Hu, who was in Harare.
Zhang and his workers were accused of conducting illegal mining operations in the area.
They demanded US$2000 cash from the Chinese nationals so that they could release them.
It is the State’s case that Simbabure personally spoke to Ms Hu, on Zhang’s phone, ordering her to deliver the bribe money to one of their accomplices, Tawanda Ngoshi, who is still at large.
The US$2000 was delivered to Ngoshi.
Zhang paid US$1 000 while Kelvinator Don Paricha, employed as an interpreter, gave them US$800.
The gang then drove off in their getaway car.
However, the gang’s shenanigans leaked, leading to their arrest on Monday.
Online Reporter