Gomwe freed, re-arrested

Freeman Razemba and Tendai Rupapa
Zanu-PF Harare provincial youth chairman Godwin Gomwe was yesterday granted $1 000 bail by the High Court for an extortion case, but his freedom was short-lived as he was re-arrested on fresh charges.

Sources said the embattled youth leader was facing seven fresh charges that include assault and violating the Postal and Telecommunications Act.

Gomwe was taken to Harare Central Police Station to assist with investigations and is likely to appear in court today.

In the extortion case, Justice Garainesu Mawadze granted Gomwe $1 000 bail coupled with stringent conditions.

He was ordered not to visit his housing consortium offices and not to talk to any of the members of the housing co-operatives whom he is alleged to have extorted over $46 000 using the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe’s name.

He was also ordered to report twice a week to the police and to reside at his given address and not to interfere with State witnesses until the matter is finalised.

The bail application for his alleged accomplices in the extortion case will be heard today.

Gomwe is jointly charged with Muchineripi Mupindu, alias Ginya (36), Fidelis Ndaradza, alias Brigadier (32), Haruwandi Munyawiri, alias Baya (46), Hamphrey Madenyika (29), Josephine Hadziindi (59) and Norah Toronga (38).

The group is being accused of extorting over $46 000 from housing co-operatives in Harare using the First Lady’s name.

Gomwe is being represented by Mr John Ndomene, while Mr Rungano Mahuni is acting on behalf of the other six.

According to the State, on February 11, housing co-operatives namely NRZ, Mudadirwa Zvobgo, Tenzi Tinzwei, Spring Field, Archgrace, Palmar Vision, Westgin, First Avenue, Green Image and Ingoni, all registered under the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, were allocated 300 residential stands by the City of Harare.

On May 9, Gomwe and his gang, the court heard, hatched a plan to extort money from beneficiaries of the stands using the First Lady’s name.

The group reportedly told officials from the housing co-operatives that the land they wanted to build on belonged to the First Lady before demanding bribes to “authorise” development.

They are facing three counts of extortion money amounting to $46 200.