News / National
'Baba Jukwa' wanted over $40k extortion charges
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Police are searching for public relations expert and journalist Edmund Kudzayi, who was at some point linked to the Facebook page known as Baba Jukwa, who has been implicated in an extortion case involving West Properties. Kudzayi and his alleged accomplice, Nominate Chazwe, reportedly demanded US$40,000 from the company to withhold the publication of sensitive information.
Chazwe has already been arrested and appeared before Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa, where she was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing set for Thursday. Meanwhile, Kudzayi remains at large.
West Properties, represented by Mr. Michael Chideme, had previously engaged Kukurigo Communications Private Limited, where Kudzayi is a director, for advertising and public relations services. During this engagement, Kudzayi introduced Chazwe as his business associate.
According to court documents, in June 2024, Kudzayi and Chazwe allegedly claimed they possessed damaging information about West Properties and its managing director, Mr. Kenneth Raydon Sharpe. They reportedly threatened to release the information unless the company paid them US$40,000.
The company initially negotiated and paid US$24,344 to Kukurigo Communications, with the payment received by Kudzayi. However, the extortion did not stop there. Chazwe and Kudzayi allegedly demanded additional payments, threatening to publish the information if their demands were not met.
In one instance, Chazwe reportedly received US$1,000 from West Properties, which was left at Horizon Hotel and handed over by Noah Njambi. On February 8, Chazwe allegedly demanded a further US$4,000. This led West Properties to report the matter to Harare Central Police Station.
A sting operation was set up, during which a West Properties representative handed over the money to Chazwe in the presence of police officers. Chazwe was arrested on the spot, and the US$4,000 was recovered.
The State, represented by Mr. Anesu Chirenje, alleges that the actions of Chazwe and Kudzayi were part of a sustained campaign of extortion targeting West Properties. Investigations are ongoing as police continue their search for Kudzayi.
Chazwe has already been arrested and appeared before Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa, where she was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing set for Thursday. Meanwhile, Kudzayi remains at large.
West Properties, represented by Mr. Michael Chideme, had previously engaged Kukurigo Communications Private Limited, where Kudzayi is a director, for advertising and public relations services. During this engagement, Kudzayi introduced Chazwe as his business associate.
According to court documents, in June 2024, Kudzayi and Chazwe allegedly claimed they possessed damaging information about West Properties and its managing director, Mr. Kenneth Raydon Sharpe. They reportedly threatened to release the information unless the company paid them US$40,000.
In one instance, Chazwe reportedly received US$1,000 from West Properties, which was left at Horizon Hotel and handed over by Noah Njambi. On February 8, Chazwe allegedly demanded a further US$4,000. This led West Properties to report the matter to Harare Central Police Station.
A sting operation was set up, during which a West Properties representative handed over the money to Chazwe in the presence of police officers. Chazwe was arrested on the spot, and the US$4,000 was recovered.
The State, represented by Mr. Anesu Chirenje, alleges that the actions of Chazwe and Kudzayi were part of a sustained campaign of extortion targeting West Properties. Investigations are ongoing as police continue their search for Kudzayi.
Source - The Herald
