adminFungai Lupande Court Reporter
Jamaican musician, Charlie Black’s UK-based promoter lost $2 500 to a Mabelreign Police Station-based police officer and three security agents after they connived to extort $15 000 from him. Clemence Tsiga (25) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Francis Mafumo facing extortion charges.
He was remanded to September 21 on $100 bail.
He was ordered to surrender his passport and report every Friday at CID Serious Frauds.
The complainant whose name was not mentioned in court papers is known to be Digital One Entertainment that organised the show in collaboration with local company Chipaz Promotions led by Partson Chimbodza. Prosecutor Idah Maromo alleged that in May while the complainant was in UK he arranged with Chimbodza to stage a show in Zimbabwe on August 8 by Charlie Black.
The show was to be held at Long Chen Plaza, Belvedere in Harare.
The promoter arrived in Zimbabwe on August 5 and proceeded to Dandaro Inn, Exhibition Park in Harare for a welcome party.
While at the party Tsiga approached the promoter and introduced himself as a member of the Intelligence Unit.
Tsiga, in the company of three security agents took the promoter outside the party and informed him that he was under arrest for flaunting the Immigration Law.
They alleged that he bribed Immigration officials when he entered Zimbabwe because his travelling documents were not in order.
They threatened to take him to Harare Central Police Station for further interrogation. The promoter advised Chimbodza of his arrest and he volunteered to accompany him.
Tsiga and his accomplices demanded $15 000 to release him but he offered $1 500 which he said was in Highfield, Harare. They proceeded to Highfield where they met the promoter’s father Leonard Pazvakawambwa. It is alleged that Tsiga confiscated the promoter’s wife and son’s passports.
The quartet was given $1 500 and was promised the balance $3 500 the following day.
Tsiga, using mobile number 077 923 6336 reminded the promoter of the balance through WhatsApp.
They later met at corner Robert Mugabe and Rekai Tangwena Road and the promoter transferred $1 000 into Tsiga’s Ecocash account.
Tsiga was arrested on Friday following a trap. A CZ pistol number 1560 serial number ZW 130013022930 was recovered at Tsiga’s house underneath his mattress.
The promoter lost $2 500.
Online Reporter