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THE two bogus Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZAAC) officials, who appeared in court last week facing 10 counts of extortion, were yesterday denied bail.
The presiding magistrate ruled they were not proper candidates for bail.
Felix Rimaunga and Brian Nyazamba appeared before Harare magistrate, Stanford Mambanje, who remanded them in custody to July 21, pending finalisation of investigations.
In denying the two bail, magistrate Mambanje said the State managed to prove they have compelling reasons warranting incarceration, pending trial.
“The brief allegations are that the two are facing extortion charges and would pose as investigators from ZACC, and would approach senior officials demanding money from them, in order to close the ‘dockets’.
“The State indicated they would create bank accounts to deposit the money into and would use various sim cards to communicate with their targets.
“They denied the allegations and claimed that nothing was ever recovered from them.
“State opposed bail on the basis that they are facing a serious offence and may be motivated to flee because of the gravity of the sentence awaiting them and have a possibility to interfere with witnesses.
“The State case is strong against the accused persons and their mere denial of the allegations can be categorised as a bare denial that is given because they are cornered and don’t have anywhere to go.
“The investigating officer gave a clear account leading to their arrest and accused persons had several SIM cards with them.
“She told the court that the recoveries were made before they were brought to court and the seizure forms settled the question whether the recoveries were made before they were brought to court.
“Should that go to trial, without any changes, the possibility of conviction is high and there are printouts that show that the calls were made in their areas of residence.
“The prospects of securing a conviction is high and it should be noted that the offence of extortion can be made without any payments being made contrary to what the defence claimed in their application showing that they missed the point.
“They should have placed the court into confidence that they will stand trial and the strength of the State case is important in guiding the court on whether it is in the interests of justice to grant bail.
“The fears by the State that the two won’t return to court are justifiable, therefore, the application for bail is dismissed,” he said.
The duo is accused of extorting money from top officials, claiming to be ZACC officials.
The duo allegedly extorted NetOne CEO, Raphael Mashanawani, Dr Guzha, a city gynecologist, Given Makopa Chibaya, the General Secretary of National Employment Council – Commerce, Nora Maideyi Tome, the Director Finance and Admin for the Procurement Regulatory Authority (PRAZ) and Collen Rutsate, the Procurement Specialist for Procurement Regulatory Authority (PRAZ) amongst others.
Lancelot Mutsokoti appeared for the State.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter