adminFreeman Razemba and Tendai Rupapa Harare Bureau
ZANU-PF Harare provincial youth chairman Godwin Gomwe was yesterday granted $1,000 bail by the High Court in a case in which he is facing extortion, but his freedom was short-lived as he was rearrested on fresh charges.
Sources close to the investigations yesterday said Gomwe 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 the $1,000 bail coupled with stringent conditions.
Gomwe 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 First Lady Grace Mugabe’s name.
He was also ordered to report twice a week to the police, 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.
They are being accused of extorting over $46,000 from housing co-operatives in Harare using the First Lady Grace Mugabe’s name.
Gomwe is being represented by John Ndomene, while 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 the 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.
Meanwhile, ousted Zanu-PF Harare Province youth league chairperson Gomwe and his accomplices have been ordered to vacate a piece of land they invaded in Westlea.
Bradha Engineering Private Limited owns the 25ha of land which was allocated to it by the Harare City Council.
High Court judge Justice November Mtshiya on Wednesday granted an urgent application for spoliation by Bradha Engineering (Pvt) Ltd.
The company accuses Gomwe of invading its property.
“I’m satisfied that the applicant’s case for a spoliation order has merit. The relief sought should be granted,” said Justice Mtshiya.
Gomwe, who was rearrested yesterday after obtaining bail from the High Court on extortion charges, was accused of working in cahoots with Innocent Mango of Final Hope Housing Cooperative, Clever Musa of Josiah Tongogara Housing Cooperative and three others.
They invaded the piece of land on January 8 this year.
Bradha Engineering, through its lawyer Tapson Dzvetero, said it used close to $1 million to service the land comprising 196 stands.
The company argued that Gomwe and his gang defied a High Court order early this year stopping the respondents from further occupying the land.
Gomwe is accused of enlisting the services of nearly 40 bouncers who allegedly frustrated the land developers.
“My instructions are now to instruct the Sheriff to evict the respondents so as to restore peaceful and undisturbed possession of the property to my client,” said Dzvetero.
Online Reporter