By A Correspondent|Bulawayo deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu allegedly went into hiding inside his private office when Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officers arrived to arrest him, reportedly forcing the investigators to engage a locksmith to gain access.
Ndlovu, 55, who represents Ward 8, appeared before the courts on Monday, 24 August, facing extortion allegations together with Ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu and former Ward 22 councillor Alderman Rodney Jele.
The trio is accused of allegedly demanding US$52,000 from businessman Thulani Mthuli Matshazi in connection with a council lease granted to his company in 2023 for the proposed construction of a Hilton Hotel.
According to the State, the accused allegedly threatened to have the lease withdrawn unless Matshazi paid the demanded amount.
The two serving councillors are contesting their placement on remand, insisting that the State has failed to produce evidence connecting them to the alleged offence.
Through their lawyers, they asked magistrate Isheunesu Matova to dismiss the charges before they could be placed on remand.
The magistrate was expected to deliver a ruling on the application on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Milton Moyo told the court that ZACC officers encountered resistance when they went to Ndlovu’s private business, Gracious Driving School, to arrest him. The deputy mayor allegedly locked himself inside the premises, leaving investigators with no option but to call in a locksmith to open the door.
Moyo argued that Ndlovu’s alleged actions were inconsistent with the behaviour expected from someone who had nothing to hide.
He also opposed the defence application seeking to prevent the accused from being placed on remand.
The State alleges that Matshazi’s company, Mkhuze Global Investments, secured a long-term council lease in 2023 to develop a Hilton Hotel franchise, but the proposed development has not yet materialised.
Prosecutors allege that on 14 August, Jele organised a meeting at a lodge in Matsheumhlope where the three accused allegedly confronted Matshazi over the lease.
According to the State, Matshazi was allegedly informed that another investor was prepared to pay US$52,000 to acquire the site if his lease was cancelled. He was allegedly told that he could retain the lease only if he paid an equivalent amount.
The prosecution further alleges that the two serving councillors were members of the council subcommittee responsible for the allocation of stands and premises for development.
They allegedly intended to use their positions to push for the cancellation of Matshazi’s lease at a committee meeting scheduled for 19 August.
The State claims the accused also intended to influence the subsequent full council meeting in September to ensure that any recommendation to terminate the lease was approved.
Matshazi subsequently approached ZACC on 21 August, prompting investigators to organise an undercover operation.
The following day, US$5,000 was allegedly delivered to Jele at Matshazi’s residence. Prosecutors allege that Jele was arrested while counting the money and that the trap cash was recovered.
Jele’s lawyer, Prince Butshe Dube, however, challenged the manner in which investigators handled his client following the arrest.
Dube told the court that Jele was allegedly prevented from accessing his lawyer when investigators wanted him to provide a statement. He further claimed that his client was ultimately pressured into signing a document containing admissions to acts he denies committing.
The lawyer said the defence would challenge the validity of the affidavit, arguing that it had allegedly been obtained under duress.
The prosecution indicated that the complaints raised by the defence would be investigated.
