Four members of Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) have been freed on a US$100 bond for each. These officials are connected to a claimed extortion plot of US$10,000 aimed against Dopsa Energy (Pvt) Ltd. director Brian Dziwandi. Judge Donald Ndirowei of the Harare regional magistrate’s office heard the case.
The defendants, identified as Munyaradzi Gondo (38), Trust Madzunzu (38), Joshua Zingwe (40), and Innocent Chigona (38), are due back in court on June 10 and may go on trial. The defendants, who are being represented by attorneys Liberty Gono and Dumisani Mtombeni, are accused of major offenses including corruption and misuse of authority.
The incident in question unfolded starting on May 21, when Brian Dziwandi received an unexpected call from Trust Madzunzu. Madzunzu, posing as an agent for Kamativi Mine, falsely claimed he was involved in supplying diesel to the mine and expressed interest in partnering with Brian in his business endeavors. The conversation set the stage for a deceitful plot that would unfold the following day.
On May 22, Brian, accompanied by Simba Dziwandi, met Munyaradzi Gondo in a parking lot at a Harare hotel. Here, Madzunzu invited Brian into his vehicle, where the other accused were already present. It was in the car that the true nature of their intentions came to light. The group, identifying themselves as operatives from the President’s Department, falsely claimed they were conducting an operation to curb fuel smuggling.
Afterwards, the four individuals charged Brian with disposing of petrol in Zimbabwe that was reportedly on the way to Lusaka, Zambia. Under this guise, they threatened severe repercussions if their requests were not satisfied and wanted an astounding $10,000 USD, reportedly on behalf of their anonymous “boss.” Threats of imprisonment and an uninvited visit to the intelligence agency’s Chaminuka Building offices were used to scare Brian.
Brian asked for more time to get the money because he was worried about his safety and possible legal repercussions. Although they agreed, the agents set a rigid deadline of 4 p.m. that same day. Brian received numerous calls throughout the day from different numbers, which increased the pressure and urgency of their demands.
Brian immediately called the local police to report the event, realizing the seriousness of the situation and the possibility of it being worse. The police took immediate action and devised a plan to capture the offenders. After a police trap was successfully set up on May 23, the four agents were arrested while attempting to collect US$1,000, which was negotiated as a partial payment of the amount asked.
