Ex-army army official in court for extorting investors

News
Former Zimbabwe National Army colonel appeared in court yesterday charged with extortion after he allegedly extorted a South African investor cash in a work permit deal.

By Desmond Chingarande

Former Zimbabwe National Army colonel appeared in court today charged with extortion after he allegedly extorted a South African investor cash in a work permit deal.

Atwell Seremani who appeared before Magistrate Dennis Mangosi remanded in custody together with his accomplice Nation Machaya.

The two applied their bail and the ruling is expected today.

Allegations are that sometime in 2020 the complainant was tasked to apply for work permits by the dire tors of the company at the department of immigration for their foreign employees.

The complainant allegedly applied for the permits at the immigration offices but made several follow ups until they were told that the file was missing, he then received a phone call from Seremani who told him that he was the one responsible for processing the work permits and that he should come through him if he wanted to acquire the permits.

It is alleged that Seremani invited the complainant to his home and told h that he should pay US$4000 to process the work permits.

Seremani allegedly told the complainant to pay US$2500 up front and the balance on collection of the work permits.

Complainant allegedly paid US$2500 upfront but later realized that he was being extorted after suspecting that Seremani could be responsible for disappearance of the files at the immigration offices.

On May 3, 2021, Seremani phoned the complainant and told him that the work permits were ready and that he should bring US$1 800 since he has taken long to collect them.

Complainant allegedly told his superiors who advised him to report on May 4 Seremani allegedly phoned the complainant directing him to his homestead to bring the money and collect the permits.

On that same day a team of police officers set a trap to arrest the accused person and upon arrival Seremani told the complainant that he was not around.

After a while Machaya came out and told the complainant that he had been sent by Seremani to collect the money and Handover the permits.

Complainant handed over the trap money in the presents of the police officers unknown to Seremani.

Machaya was subsequently arrested by detectives who were in the vehicle disguised as the company employees.

The trap money was recovered. Seeman was allegedly arrested when he come to his house.

  •  Follow Desmond on Twitter @DChingarande1