Mutoko man in court for extortion

Zim Now Writer

Michael Mashiri

A Mutoko man who threatened family members of a deceased person with death, claiming that the wealth he left behind had been accrued through the goblins he had supplied, has appeared in court.

He even threatened to take away the riches and they would die if they did not pay him US$10 000.

Donewell Kufandirori, 18, of Chinzanga, Mutoko appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts accused of extortion.

The State, through Zororai Nkomo, alleges that between January 25 and 26, Kufandirori and his six accomplices - including his father whom he lives with - who are still at large, extorted the complainant after pretending to be witchdoctors.

The seven allegedly threatened the complainant and her family with death if she failed to surrender all the property and cash left behind by her late husband who had passed on January 2 this year.

The accused persons alleged that the deceased’s wealth was accrued through the goblins they had given him.

They demanded US$10 000 cash and two cars, a Honda Fit and a Toyota Hiace from the deceased’s wife, being the property left by her late husband, threatening that the complainant and her family would all die within 24 hours if they did not comply.

The complainant gave in to Kufandirori’s demands and surrendered US$3 800 before they escorted her to their base in Chinzanga, Mutoko for cleansing.

While in Mutoko, they further ordered her not to disclose the matter to anyone, demanding that the complainant signs an agreement of sale for the two vehicles the following morning.

Kufandirori was ordered to come back to court on Monday April 17 for bail application.