adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
BRETT Sibanda, who was allegedly paid $45,000 by a Mpilo Central Hospital executive who wanted to recover a stolen laptop and office keys, has been issued with a warrant of arrest after he absconded from his trial.
Sibanda, 23, of Pumula South suburb, was not present when his matter was called before Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushove, nor was there any legal counsel there to represent him.
The magistrate then issued a warrant of arrest for Sibanda for failing to avail himself for the start of his trial on Tuesday.
Sibanda, who is facing extortion charges, initially appeared before Magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze who granted him $100 bail.
It is alleged that on April 21 this year, just hours after the Mpilo Central Hospital board had suspended four top executives over an alleged tender scandal, someone stole a bag from a vehicle belonging to Solwayo Ngwenya, the hospital’s clinical director, which was parked at Spar Supermarket along Fife Street and 12th Avenue.
An initial audit at the hospital revealed that the hospital could be losing millions of dollars through tender scams.
Those who were suspended are chief executive officer Lawrence Mantiziba, operations director Duduza Regina Moyo, finance director Charles Govo and central buying unit chairperson Mxolisi Sibanda.
Dumisani Ndlovu, prosecuting, said Ngwenya’s car’s locking mechanism was compromised and a bag containing hospital keys, flash disks and a laptop was stolen.
A day later, Sibanda allegedly told Ngwenya that CIO operatives had his bag and were demanding cash to release it.
“Sibanda approached Ngwenya through a relative and indicated that he was in a position to offer him private security and he agreed,” said Ndlovu.
The court heard that Sibanda proceeded to Ngwenya’s house, where he told him that the CIO agents wanted $4,500 to release the bag.
“He told Ngwenya that his life was in danger if he didn’t comply with the CIOs’ requests,” said Ndlovu.
Ngwenya, the court heard, gave Sibanda the $4,500 which he later converted to his own use.
Later on the same day, added the prosecutor, Sibanda went on to demand $5,200 stating that the CIOs wanted more money and used the same threats as before. Again, Ngwenya gave him the money.
The court heard that on April 25, Sibanda used the same tactic to deprive Ngwenya of $15,000 before telling him his family’s life was in danger.
“The next day, Sibanda approached Ngwenya and told him that the money he had given the CIOs wasn’t enough as they wanted $20,000 before being given $10,000 that he converted to his own use,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu told the court that a week later, Sibanda went back to Ngwenya and demanded the balance of $10,000 from the $20,000 that was previously demanded and he was given $9,000.
Ndlovu told the court that Sibanda would later demand a further $50,000, but a fed-up Ngwenya called the police.
Sibanda is facing five counts of extortion. The total amount of prejudice was $43,700, according to prosecutors.
Online Reporter