Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Court Reporter
A SEX worker and her accomplices, who allegedly impersonated police officers, have appeared in court facing charges of extortion, after they were reportedly caught using a mobile phone that had been forcefully taken from a suspect in an armed robbery case.
Nokuthaba Mpofu, Tendai Geja, and Darlington Matsa Sibanda appeared yesterday before Bulawayo Provincial magistrate Richard Ramaboea, facing charges of extortion. They were not asked to plead and only confirmed their names, surnames and the allegations against them.
Mpofu is represented by her lawyer Tinashe Dzipe, while Geja and Sibanda are representing themselves. Mpofu was remanded out of custody after posting US$100 bail, while Geja and Sibanda were remanded in custody until November 10.
According to the allegations, on October 7, Devine Dowani, who is under investigation for armed robbery, met Mpofu at Cecil Hotel and began negotiating for sexual services. However, the pair reportedly had a disagreement over the fee, prompting Dowani to drive off.
Moments later, the court heard, Dowani received a phone call from Geja, requesting him to come to a nearby food outlet close to Cecil Hotel. The unsuspecting Dowani drove to the location, where he was confronted by Geja, Sibanda and two unidentified individuals. They allegedly introduced themselves as police officers and Sibanda reportedly removed the car keys from the ignition while Geja began searching the vehicle.
During the search, they discovered Dowani’s pellet gun. At that point, Geja and Sibanda allegedly demanded US$200 to avoid arrest for possession of the weapon.
Dowani gave them US$32, after which they drove his car to his home. Upon arrival, they allegedly took a solar battery, an inverter and his mobile phone as ransom, promising to return the phone once the outstanding balance of US$132 was paid.
The matter came to light after one of the accused was reportedly caught using the mobile phone, which had allegedly been used by Dowani in the commission of an armed robbery, leading to their arrest.
Dereck Chihombe appeared for the State.
