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Zvikomborero Parafini
THREE men have been implicated in an elaborate bid to extort a Chinese investor, which has backfired terribly, bringing the number of suspects to five.
Chamunorwa Victor Chinorwiwa, Hilary Maravanyika and Tawanda Ngoshi initially appeared in court over the weekend and were remanded in custody to today for bail considerations.
They join their accomplices — Samuel Zvishamiso Simbabure and Respect Zuva — who appeared before the same court last week.
Their lawyers told Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa they intend to file an application opposing their placement on remand.
The complainant is Enjie Zhang.
Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje alleged that on October 19, the duo, and their four accomplices who are at large, went to Murodzi Mining Claim in Concession, using a dark blue Toyota Hilux GD6 double cab, without registration number plates.
They introduced themselves as members from the Criminal Investigation Department.
They ordered Zhang and 25 mine workers to gather at one place and to sit down.
Simbabure allegedly threatened to shoot them with a pistol, which was on his waist, if they raised any alarm.
They ordered Zhang and his fellow Chinese nationals — Jinliang Xue, Hang Hainglin and Shan Dong Zhou — to produce their identity documents, mining certificates and work permits.
They complied but failed to produce the mining certificates and work permits which they said were in the custody of the General Manager, Ms Hu, who was in Harare.
Zhang and his workers were accused of conducting illegal mining operations in the area.
They demanded US$2000 cash from the Chinese nationals so that they could release them.
It is the State’s case that Simbabure personally spoke to Ms Hu, on Zhang’s phone, ordering her to deliver the bribe money to one of their accomplices, Tawanda Ngoshi, who is still at large.
The US$2000 was delivered to Ngoshi.
Zhang paid US$1 000 while Kelvinator Don Paricha, employed as an interpreter, gave them US$800.
The gang then drove off in their getaway car.
However, the gang’s shenanigans leaked, leading to their arrest.
Online Reporter