Herald Assistant News Editor freed again in extortion case

The Herald Assistant News Editor Takunda Maodza, is accused of extorting money from Mr Levy, the director of Sam Levy’s Village in return for not publishing a news article exposing that he had offered to fund the Zimbabwe People First project funded by Dr Joice Mujuru.

By Fungai Lupande

The Herald Assistant News Editor Takunda Maodza, who was summoned to court on Wednesday on charges of attempted extortion, was freed again after it emerged the State’s case was still in shambles.

Harare magistrate Ms Rumbidzayi Mugwagwa refused to place Maodza on remand and ordered the State to proceed by way of summons again.

This was after prosecutor Ms Gayton Vhiriri wanted to proceed to trial without furnishing the defence with a video footage in which the complaint Mr Isaac Levy claims he demanded bribe.

Maodza’s lawyer, Mr Phelex Charamba, opposed to have the trial kick-off demanding to be furnished with the video footage, the basis upon which his client was arrested.

Since November last year, the State had been promising to avail the video footage.

“The last time we were in this court, we asked the State to provide us with the video evidence,” said Mr Charamba.

“Accused has the right to be provided with all the evidence to allow him to prepare his defence.”

Ms Vhiriri insisted that she was ready to proceed to trial and her witnesses were available.

“What we can do is liaise with witnesses and defence and postpone the matter to a date everyone is amenable to rather than serving the accused with subpoenas again,” she said.

Mr Charamba was adamant that his client cannot be placed on remand.

“What the State is trying to do is bring the accused back on remand,” he said.

“What we seek is for State to be directed to summon the accused when they are ready.

“I promise to avail myself when the State is ready.”

Mr Mugwagwa freed Maodza.

Maodza is accused of extorting money from Mr Levy, the director of Sam Levy’s Village in return for not publishing a news article exposing that he had offered to fund the Zimbabwe People First project funded by Dr Joice Mujuru.

This was after Mr Levy had allegedly been offered the treasurer’s post which he turned down, offering instead to fund the PF congress.

The State alleges that Maodza was offered $700, but refused to take it in Mr Levy’s office and suggested that he be given the money outside.

It is further alleged that the conversation was recorded by a closed-circuit television (CCTV) in Mr Levy’s office. The Herald