3 in court for extorting money from bus driver ove...

3 in court for extorting money from bus driver over undocumented passengers

Michael Mashiri

ZIM NOW CORRESPONDENT

Three members of Zimbabwe National Anti-Corruption Organisation have been taken to court accused of extortion.

Taurai Zindoga, 32, of Belvedere, Simbarashe Mapfungo, 34, of Mutare Road, Msasa and Ishmael Kasvuure 44, of Eastview Phase 16, appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with extortion.

They will appear in court on May 17.

The complainant in this matter is Calvin Nyanhongo, 43.

The State alleges that on April 22, at around 2200 hours, Nyanhongo left his bus reg number AGL 1973 at Mbudzi roundabout with passengers, including Malawians and went home.

On April 23, it is alleged that at around 2300 hours, Nyanhongo received a call to the effect that the three accused were asking for passenger’s travelling documents at the bus and rushed to the scene.

The accused, who identified themselves as Zimbabwe National Anti-Corruption Organisation officers in the company of police officers from Southlea Park Police Station, escorted the passengers without proper documentation to the police station.

When Nyanhongo arrived at the police station, the accused persons demanded US$2 000 for their release, but he had no money on him.

Nyanhongo then told the accused that the one who had given him the Malawians without proper documents was one Alick Masayiti, who was at Corner S. V. Muzenda and Speke Avenue in the Harare CBD.

The accused escorted Nyanhongo to town and Masayiti handed over US$400 to Zindoga, but they kept on demanding more money and Nyanhongo became suspicious took the accused persons to the police station where a formal report was made.