CIO agents released on bail

Four members of the President's Department, accused of extorting US$1,000 from Brian Dziwandi, director of Dopsa Energy (Pvt) Ltd, were granted bail of US$100 each yesterday.

Appearing before Harare regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei, Trust Madzunzu (38), Munyaradzi Gondo (38), Joshua Zingwe (40), and Innocent Chigona (38) were remanded until June 10 for a possible trial date. They were represented by Liberty Gono and Dumisani Mtombeni.

According to prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti, the alleged incident occurred on May 21, when Brian received a call from Madzunzu, who claimed to be an agent for Kamativi Mine. Madzunzu purportedly suggested a partnership in diesel supply, claiming to represent the mine.

The following day, Brian, accompanied by Simba Dziwandi, met Gondo at a Harare hotel parking lot. Madzunzu then joined them in a vehicle with the others. Claiming to be from the President's Department, they asserted they were combating fuel smuggling and accused Brian of transporting fuel bound for Lusaka, Zambia.

Allegedly demanding US$10,000 for their unnamed "boss," they threatened Brian with detention at the spy agency's headquarters. Brian, fearing reprisal, requested time to gather the money. The accused set a deadline of 4 pm that day, continuously pressuring Brian via calls from various numbers.

Brian reported the extortion to the police, leading to a sting operation on May 23, resulting in the arrest of the four after they accepted US$1,000 as a partial payment.