News / National
State withdraws charges against trio scribes
2 hrs ago |
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HARARE - Freelance journalists Desire Tshuma, Simbarashe Sithole and Gideon Madzikatidze, who were facing an extortion charge, are off the hook after the case was withdrawn before plea at the Harare Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The state established that Sithole and Madzikatidze had been impersonated by Zimpapers reporter Abel Ndooka and freelance journalist Allan Mloshwa, who allegedly demanded cash from complainant Tafadzwa Masembura while posing as Bulawayo24 reporters.
According to allegations, on 15 April 2025 Tshuma contacted Masembura, a senior official at the Zimbabwe Copyright Centre (ZICCD), via WhatsApp using a NetOne number. Tshuma identified himself as a journalist from Observer News and claimed to be investigating a fraud case involving more than US$20,000 in mismanaged employee funds.
Tshuma allegedly offered not to publish the story in exchange for US$100. Masembura complied and paid the amount at a meeting along Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in central Harare.
The following day, Tshuma allegedly returned with Sithole and Madzikatidze, who claimed to represent Bulawayo24 News. The complainant was pressured to buy them lunch and again coerced into paying another US$100, bringing the total to US$200.
On 16 April, Tshuma arranged another meeting under the pretext of getting Masembura's side of the story, but the tone remained coercive. On 22 April, Sithole allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to maintain pressure, and on 23 April Tshuma forwarded a draft article authored by Sithole and Madzikatidze. The draft contained damaging allegations and came with a warning that the story would be published if more money was not paid.
Masembura then alerted the Zimbabwe Anti‑Corruption Commission (ZACC), which conducted a sting operation. On 23 April, all three journalists were caught accepting US$100 in trap money at the same Kwame Nkrumah Avenue location.
The state established that Sithole and Madzikatidze had been impersonated by Zimpapers reporter Abel Ndooka and freelance journalist Allan Mloshwa, who allegedly demanded cash from complainant Tafadzwa Masembura while posing as Bulawayo24 reporters.
According to allegations, on 15 April 2025 Tshuma contacted Masembura, a senior official at the Zimbabwe Copyright Centre (ZICCD), via WhatsApp using a NetOne number. Tshuma identified himself as a journalist from Observer News and claimed to be investigating a fraud case involving more than US$20,000 in mismanaged employee funds.
Tshuma allegedly offered not to publish the story in exchange for US$100. Masembura complied and paid the amount at a meeting along Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in central Harare.
The following day, Tshuma allegedly returned with Sithole and Madzikatidze, who claimed to represent Bulawayo24 News. The complainant was pressured to buy them lunch and again coerced into paying another US$100, bringing the total to US$200.
On 16 April, Tshuma arranged another meeting under the pretext of getting Masembura's side of the story, but the tone remained coercive. On 22 April, Sithole allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to maintain pressure, and on 23 April Tshuma forwarded a draft article authored by Sithole and Madzikatidze. The draft contained damaging allegations and came with a warning that the story would be published if more money was not paid.
Masembura then alerted the Zimbabwe Anti‑Corruption Commission (ZACC), which conducted a sting operation. On 23 April, all three journalists were caught accepting US$100 in trap money at the same Kwame Nkrumah Avenue location.
Source - Byo24News
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