Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A SHADOWY scheme, in which a leading real estate tycoon Ken Sharpe was the subject of an elaborate US$40,000 extortion bid, played out at the Harare Magistrates Court yesterday.
Nominate Chazwe, who works for Kukurigo Communications (Pvt) Ltd, appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa yesterday.
The complainant is WestPro Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, a land development company, which is being represented by its Communications Manager, Michael Chideme.
The court heard that WestProp is into the business of land development and used to engage Kukurigo Communications to place its adverts, flyers and other communication to the public.
During that period, Chazwe was introduced to Chideme by Edmund Kudzayi, who is the director of Kukurigo Communications.
Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje alleged that sometime in June last year, Chazwe schemed to extort money from West Prop and threatened its representatives that he had damaging information he had obtained which, if published, would tarnish the company and its managing director Sharpe.
Chazwe allegedly demanded US$40,000 so that the information would not be published
The company, acting on the pressure exerted, negotiated to deposit US$24 344 which was handed over to Kukurigo Communications.
It is alleged that after a few months, Chazwe started demanding for more money from West Prop threatening to publish the damning information.
Chazwe did not stop demanding money from the company and issuing threats of tarnishing the image of Sharpe.
He was given US$1 000, which he told Chideme to leave the money at the Horizon Hotel.
The money was given to Noah Njambi.
On Saturday, Chazwe again demanded money from the company, which prompted WestProp to file a police report.
A trap was made for Chideme to give Chazwe US$4,000, which he was demanding in the presence of the police.
The two met and Chazwe was given the US$4,000 and was arrested soon after receiving the money.
The recovered money is currently being held as an exhibit.
Chazwe was remanded in custody to Thursday for bail considerations because bail is being opposed.
