BULAWAYO, Aug. 27 (NewsDay Live) — Two more Bulawayo councillors appeared in court on Wednesday in connection with an alleged US$52 000 extortion case, while former Ward 22 councillor Alderman Rodney Jele was denied bail and remanded in custody.
Ward 15 councillor Ashton Mhlanga and Ward 3 councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu appeared before magistrate Themba Chimiso, where they challenged the seizure of their cellphones.
The two are accused alongside Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu, Ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu and Jele of allegedly demanding US$52 000 from a businessman over a hotel development and lease arrangement.
Their lawyer, Nqobani Sithole, argued that the State had not explained why the cellphones were seized and warned that any evidence extracted from the devices could face a constitutional challenge.
“The reasons for seizing their cellphones have not been stated. In our jurisdiction, you arrest after investigating, not the other way round,” Sithole said.
He said while police could seize a communication device believed to have been used in the commission of an offence, the State had to justify the seizure.
Prosecutor Milton Moyo said investigations were continuing and the State would investigate the concerns raised by the defence and provide feedback to the court.
In a separate hearing, magistrate Isheunesu Matova denied Jele bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the case.
The court heard that Jele allegedly acted in common purpose with his co-accused.
“They worked in common purpose,” Matova said.
Jele’s lawyer, Prince Butshe Dube, had offered household property as security and told the court his client was willing to surrender documents relating to the property as a guarantee that he would comply with bail conditions.
The application was dismissed and Jele was remanded in custody until Sept. 10.
His co-accused, Deputy Mayor Ndlovu and Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, have not applied for bail at this stage.
The post Two more Bulawayo councillors in court as Jele denied bail in US$52 000 extortion case appeared first on newsday.
Follow the story
