Pande rubbishes Australian kidnapping, US$500k extortion claims

Zanu PF politician and businessman James Pande has dismissed allegations made by an Australian national, Hayden Peter Warszewski, who accused him of kidnapping, assault and forcing him to sign an acknowledgement of debt for US$500,000.

Warszewski reportedly filed a report at Gweru Central Police Station under case number CR: 98/02/26, alleging kidnapping, assault and extortion linked to a business dispute involving mining interests.

Responding to the allegations, Pande said he voluntarily presented himself to the investigating authorities and maintained that the matter stems from an alleged mining fraud.

"I handed myself to the investigating officer after Peter reported me to the police and upon investigations, it came out that he is the one who defrauded me," said Pande.

He alleged that Warszewski misrepresented himself as a mining investor with access to antimony claims in Mberengwa and Kwekwe, prompting financial commitments from local partners.

"Peter claimed that he had antimony mines in Mberengwa and Kwekwe and we paid for the mineral which he failed to deliver," he said.

Pande further alleged that Warszewski had made similar claims to other businesspeople and warned that more complaints could emerge.

"We are not the only people whom he duped... very soon he will face the full wrath of the law," he said.

He also accused Warszewski of failing to deliver on promises to supply large quantities of antimony, despite earlier assurances.

"He claimed he could produce up to 5,000 tonnes of antimony per week, but months passed without any delivery," said Pande.

According to Pande, Warszewski was later located at Antelope Park in Gweru, where he had been staying, after which he allegedly signed an acknowledgement of debt committing to repay US$500,000 within seven days.

However, Warszewski later filed criminal complaints against Pande, leading to the issuance of a warrant of arrest in February. Pande subsequently handed himself over to police, and the warrant was reportedly cancelled following further investigations.

The matter remains under police consideration as both parties advance competing claims over the disputed mining transactions.