Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Herald Reporter
Police are looking for a public relations expert and journalist, Edmund Kudzayi, after he was implicated in an extortion case where he and an accomplice were asking West Properties to pay US$40 000 to avoid publication of sensitive information concerning the company.
His alleged accomplice, Nominate Chazwe, was recently brought before magistrate Ms Marehwanazvo Gofa.
Chazwe was remanded in custody until Thursday for a bail hearing.
According to police, Edmund Kudzayi, is still at large.
West Properties, represented by Mr Michael Chideme, had previously engaged Kukurigo Communications Private Limited, where Kudzayi serves as director, for advertising and public relations services.
During this period, Kudzayi reportedly introduced Chazwe to West Properties as his business associate.
According to court documents, in June 2024, Chazwe and Kudzayi claimed they had damaging information about West Properties and its managing director, Mr Kenneth Raydon Sharpe.
They threatened to publish the information unless the complainant paid them US$40 000.
West Properties negotiated and paid US$24 344 to Kukurigo Communications, which was received by Kudzayi.
A few months later, Chazwe and Kudzayi allegedly demanded additional money while threatening to release the information if their demands were not met.
The court heard that Chazwe subsequently received US$1 000 from West Properties that was left at Horizon Hotel and was handed over by Noah Njambi.
On February 8 this year, Chazwe allegedly demanded a further US$4 000, prompting West Properties to report the matter at Harare Central Police Station.
Acting on the report, police set up a sting operation where the representative of West Properties handed over the money to Chazwe in their presence.
Chazwe was arrested on the spot, and the US$4 000 was recovered.
The State, represented by Mr Anesu Chirenje, alleges that Chazwe and Kudzayi’s actions were part of a sustained extortion campaign.
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