Duo in dock for extorting US$18k

Police in Harare have arrested two men on a charge of extortion after they got away with US$18 000 belonging to a Zimbabwean based in South Africa who wanted to acquire local identity documents.

The duo was brought before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi facing allegations of extortion after promising to help him to replace the identity documents at Registrar General’s office.

Admire Matupire (32) and Godfrey Nyazika (age not given) were remanded out of custody to February 20 for routine remand.

The duo was released after the State consented to US$300 bail each.

Prosecutor Thomas chanakira told the court that sometime in July last year, the complainant, who is a Zimbabwean, wanted to acquire a birth certificate, national identity card and a passport.

He was referred to Matupire who promised to assist him in acquiring the documents saying he had connections at the RG’s office and he was charged US$4 500 as facilitation fee.

The complainant then met Matupire at a local hotel and gave him US$1 000, which he promised to hand over to Nyazika for the processing of a birth certificate.

The court heard that the complainant gave Matupire US$2 500 for the processing of a Zimbabwean national identity card.

in bid to extort more money, Matupire allegedly told the complainant that he was politically connected hence there was need to add US$800 to clear his name at the courts.

Due to pressure the complainant paid Matupire US$800 who, however, demanded more money and was given US$750 which he said was to be paid to the Home Affairs Department in South Africa.

in January this year, the complainant wanted to apply for a Zimbabwean passport and he approached the duo who said his iD was not appearing in the system for him to be able to make the application.

Matupire and Nyazika demanded a further US$120 to facilitate the application process.

The complainant made a police report on January 24, 2024, which resulted in a trap being set by ciD Police Anti-corruption Unit.

on the same date, the complainant then teamed up with detectives and Matupire was lured to come to a local hotel where he was apprehended after receiving the money.

Matupire was interrogated and he implicated Nyazika.