Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
Extortion charges have been levied against a public relations expert who tried to make West Properties pay US$40 000 to avoid publication of sensitive information about the company.
Nominate Chazwe was brought before magistrate Ms Marehwanazvo Gofa, who remanded him in custody until Thursday for a bail hearing. His alleged accomplice, journalist Edmund Kudzayi, remains at large.
West Properties, represented by Mr Michael Chideme, had previously engaged Kukurigo Communications Private Limited, where Kudzayi serves as director for advertising and public relations services. During this period, Kudzayi reportedly introduced Chazwe to West Properties as his business associate.
According to court documents, in June 2024, Chazwe and Kudzayi claimed they had damaging information about West Properties and its managing director, Mr Kenneth Raydon Sharpe, which they threatened to publish unless the complainant paid them US$40 000.
Under pressure, West Properties negotiated and paid US$24 344 to Kukurigo Communications, which was received by Kudzayi.
A few months later, Chazwe and Kudzayi allegedly resumed their demands for additional money, again threatening to release the information if their demands were not met. The court heard that Chazwe subsequently received US$1 000 from West Properties left at Horizon Hotel and handed over by one Noah Njambi.
On February 8, this year, Chazwe allegedly demanded a further US$4 000, prompting West Properties to report the matter at Harare Central Police Station.
Acting on the report, police set up a sting operation where the representative of West Properties handed over the money to Chazwe in their presence.
Chazwe was arrested on the spot, and the US$ 4,000 was recovered. The State, represented by Mr Anesu Chirenje, alleges that Chazwe and Kudzayi’s actions were part of a sustained extortion campaign.
