Councillors named in extortion case seek to avail themselves to ZACC

Two Bulawayo councillors implicated in an alleged extortion case involving the city's Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu on Tuesday afternoon attempted to avail themselves to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) in Bulawayo.

Councillors Mxolisi Mahlangu and Ashton Mhlanga, who are represented by lawyer Nqobani Sithole, went to the anti-graft body's offices as part of their undertaking to cooperate with investigators probing the allegations.

However, the authorities handling the matter were reportedly unavailable when the councillors arrived.

Sithole confirmed the development, saying his clients had undertaken to return to the ZACC offices at 4pm.

"We went there this afternoon to avail ourselves, but unfortunately the authorities handling the matter were not available. We have made an undertaking to return at 4pm," said Sithole.

The two councillors are implicated alongside Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Edwin Ndlovu and former councillor Alderman Rodney Jele in allegations of extortion.

The matter is being investigated by ZACC, with the latest development coming as investigators continue probing the allegations.

The councillors have not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations against them have not been tested in court.