Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
THE trial of Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu and his four co-accused, who allegedly conspired to extort US$52 000 from a local businessman, was yesterday postponed to 24 September.
Deputy Mayor Ndlovu, Clr Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, Clr Mxolisi Mahlangu, Clr Ashton Mhlanga and former councillor Rodney Jele, appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Isheunesu
Mathoba facing extortion or alternatively bribery charges.
Prosecutor, Mr Milton Moyo, applied for a postponement of the trial stating that investigators from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) had sent exhibits for forensic examination in Harare and were awaiting results.
The Deputy Mayor Ndlovu is represented by Mr Zibusiso Ncube of Ncube and Partners, while Clrs Ndlovu, Mahlangu and Mhlanga are represented by Mr Kholwani Ngwenya of TJ Mabhikwa and Partners. The four are out of custody on US$500 bail each.
Jele, who was denied bail, is represented by Mr Prince Butshe of Butshe and Associates.
Prosecuting, Mr Moyo said former councillor Jele conspired to extort US$52 000 from a local businessman in connection with a 50-year lease granted by the Bulawayo City Council for a proposed hotel development.
“The lease was awarded in March 2023 to Mkhuze Global Investments, a company owned by the complainant, for the development of the hotel.
“In August this year, the accused persons approached the businessman and told him that other businesspeople were interested in the stand and were prepared to pay US$52 000 to have his lease cancelled,” said Mr Moyo.
According to the State, the businessman was allegedly instructed to match the US$52 000 if he wanted to retain the lease rights.
The demand for a bribe prompted the complainant to report the matter to Zacc, which then set a trap leading to the arrest of Jele soon after receiving US$5 000 trap money from the complainant.
