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Harare businessman implicated in US$40 000 scandal
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A Harare businessman linked to Kukurigo Communications, Nominate Chazwe (42), has been arrested for allegedly extorting US$40,000 from WestProp Holdings while threatening to publish damaging information about the company and its director, Kenneth Sharpe.
Chazwe appeared before Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa yesterday and was remanded in custody to February 13, pending a bail application. Chazwe is accused of working in collusion with Edmund Kudzayi, the director of Kukurigo Communications (Pvt) Ltd, who is currently on the run.
According to prosecutor Anesu Chirenje, the extortion scheme began in June 2024 when Chazwe and Kudzayi allegedly approached WestProp, claiming to have compromising information about the company and its managing director. They demanded US$40,000 in exchange for not publishing the damaging details.
Under pressure, WestProp negotiated and paid US$24,344, which was handed over to Kukurigo Communications and allegedly received by Kudzayi. However, the extortionists are said to have continued their demands, pushing for additional funds in the months that followed.
The court heard that in one instance, Chazwe instructed WestProp to leave US$1,000 at a local hotel, which was then collected by an associate identified as Noah Njambi. In February 2025, Chazwe allegedly made a final demand for US$4,000, prompting the company to report the matter to the police.
The police set up a sting operation, during which Chazwe was handed the US$4,000 in the presence of detectives. He was promptly arrested, and the extorted money was recovered.
WestProp Holdings is being represented by its communications manager, Michael Chideme. The case has drawn attention to growing concerns over business-related extortion, with authorities emphasizing the importance of companies reporting such incidents to law enforcement promptly.
Chazwe's bail hearing is set for February 13, with Kudzayi still at large.
Chazwe appeared before Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa yesterday and was remanded in custody to February 13, pending a bail application. Chazwe is accused of working in collusion with Edmund Kudzayi, the director of Kukurigo Communications (Pvt) Ltd, who is currently on the run.
According to prosecutor Anesu Chirenje, the extortion scheme began in June 2024 when Chazwe and Kudzayi allegedly approached WestProp, claiming to have compromising information about the company and its managing director. They demanded US$40,000 in exchange for not publishing the damaging details.
Under pressure, WestProp negotiated and paid US$24,344, which was handed over to Kukurigo Communications and allegedly received by Kudzayi. However, the extortionists are said to have continued their demands, pushing for additional funds in the months that followed.
The court heard that in one instance, Chazwe instructed WestProp to leave US$1,000 at a local hotel, which was then collected by an associate identified as Noah Njambi. In February 2025, Chazwe allegedly made a final demand for US$4,000, prompting the company to report the matter to the police.
The police set up a sting operation, during which Chazwe was handed the US$4,000 in the presence of detectives. He was promptly arrested, and the extorted money was recovered.
WestProp Holdings is being represented by its communications manager, Michael Chideme. The case has drawn attention to growing concerns over business-related extortion, with authorities emphasizing the importance of companies reporting such incidents to law enforcement promptly.
Chazwe's bail hearing is set for February 13, with Kudzayi still at large.
Source - newsday
