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AN editor at a Gweru newspaper and her accomplice have been arrested for allegedly demanding more than $6 000 from a local businessman who was filmed while taking a bath in his butchery for suspected ritual purposes. Tendai Manhundu-Marobana of the Monitor newspaper and Jonathan Madamombe were arrested on Monday for allegedly trying to extort the cash from Mr Emton Ma- svuure.Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende, yesterday said the duo was assisting police with investigations.
“Yes, I can confirm that the Editor at Midlands Monitor and her alleged accomplice are in custody assisting police with investigations into alleged extortion of a local businessman. They are expected to appear in court soon,” said Asst Insp Mukwende.
Sources told our Bulawayo Bureau yesterday that Manhundu-Marobana was arrested at her offices in the Gweru Central Business District after allegedly taking $100 trap money that had been photocopied and handed to her by police details.
They said Manhundu-Marobana allegedly threatened to publish a story in the Monitor about the businessman bathing in his butchery and demanded money to can it.
Meanwhile, the source said, Madamombe allegedly sold the video to Manhundu–Marobana for an undisclosed amount and later went back to Mr Masvuure and threatened to kill him if he did not give him money.
“Jonathan Madamombe sometime in April took a video of Emton Masvuure while he was taking a bath in his butchery that is located in light industrial site in Gweru. He then went and sold the video to Manhundu-Marobana and then told the complainant to give him $3 000 or else the video would be published in the Monitor newspaper,” said the source.
Mr Masvuure said he was afraid of losing business, so he was forced to pay.
He said he decided to brave it last week when the duo’s demands kept increasing.
“As for Tendai (Manhundu – Marobana) I gave her about $3 350 and $2 900 to Madamombe. But they kept asking for more and I could not give them, so I reported the matter to the police,” said Mr Masvuure.
Asked to comment on why he would take a bath in his butchery in the morning, Mr Masvuure said: “It was still in the morning. Today I’m sick but I will give you the real story once I get better.”
Online Reporter