AN alleged extortionist spun a tale and involved Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s name in a bid to gain US$500 from a Harare man.
Evans Madziva, 42, was remanded in custody until September 18 when he appeared before Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on Friday.
Madziva stands accused of trying to extort Elliot Chepa, who was testifying as a witness in a theft of trust property matter at the Harare Magistrates Court.
It is alleged that to make his ruse more believable, he lied that Vice President Chiwenga was personally invested in the matter and wanted to see it to the end unless Chepa gave him money to make it go away.
“Upon leaving the court building, he was approached by the accused who seemed to know him, and initiated a conversation relating to the matter he had just testified on.
“On the 13th of September, the complainant was phoned by the accused who indicated that he was being sought by members of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission in a case of corruption.
“The accused stated that he was alleged to have bribed the trial prosecutor and trial magistrate in the case of Gift Karanda to influence his conviction.
“On the same date, the accused met the complainant at Club Hide Out in Lochinvar, Harare, where he told the complainant that the situation had escalated as it had drawn the attention of the vice president.
“He stated that Chiwenga had directed Zacc to arrest him together with the trial magistrate and trial prosecutor and went further to highlight that he was connected to Zacc officers who were investigating the case and reasoned with them to spare him from arrest.
“He stated that the Zacc officers required some payment to ensure that he was fully exonerated from the impending arrest,” the state alleged.
Unconvinced by Madziva’s tale, Chepa allegedly went to Zacc offices where he was told that there was no investigation against him.
Whilst at the offices, Chepa reportedly called the accused and told him that he would pay US$300 to have the matter set aside.
Madziva was reportedly arrested a few hours later when the two met and Chepa handed him the extortion money.
