A MEMBER of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) was yesterday hauled before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda on allegations of extorting two motor vehicles from a client after he threatened him with death.
Nersbert Chinoputsa, 34, who is facing extortion charges will be back today for bail ruling.
Prosecutor Thomas Chanakira opposed bail on the basis that the accused person was likely to interfere with the complainant after he had stated that at one point the accused person reportedly threatened to kill the complainant if he reported the matter to the police.
It is the State that sometime between August 2019 and December 2021, the complainant, Michael Brian Jackson, was feeling insecure and asked Chinoputsa to offer security personal protection to him.
During that time, the state alleges Chinoputsa took advantage of Jackson’s sense of insecurity and instilled fear in him in order to extort money.
The court heard that Chinoputsa told Jackson that he wanted the complainant’s Mazda motor vehicle and US$6 500 so that he would protect him from being killed and he complied.
Jackson, the court heard further, gave Chinoputsa another Nissan motor vehicle in November 2020 after he was threatened that protection services would be withdrawn at a time there were people who allegedly wanted to kill him.
It is at this point that Jackson decided to report Chinoputsa to the police, leading to his arrest and the recovery of the two motor vehicles.
by
Shamaine Chirimujiri
STAFF WRITER