Four Zanu PF youths from Bulawayo facing charges of extortion and kidnapping were on Monday remanded in custody to today for trial.
Hardlife Ndlovu of Emakhandeni, Nqobani Mlilo and Mthunzi Mabhena, both of Nkulumane and Obert Musindo of Tshabalala pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira.
The four asked the court to remand them out of custody, but the State successfully opposed their request suggesting they make an application on their next remand date.
The court heard that on March 7 the accused went to Macs Garage in the central business district (CBD) where they allegedly kidnapped three complainants, Wilson Makumba, Mugove Nhete, Danny Mpofu and others, who were loading commuter omnibuses plying the Gwanda, Filabusi and Masvingo routes.
They allegedly forced them into a kombi and took them to Zanu PF provincial headquarters at Davis Hall also in the CBD.
When they got there, the four allegedly demanded $50 per route, claiming the money was for refuelling Zanu PF vehicles parked at the offices.
The youths were allegedly arrested after the police set a trap.
