MOSES Handeseni, the eighth member of a suspected Zanu PF vigilante group, which allegedly extorted $46 000 from housing co-operatives in Harare’s Glen Norah suburb using First Lady Grace Mugabe’s name, appeared in court yesterday facing three counts of extortion.
BY PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
Other six members of the group appeared in court last week and were granted $500 bail each, while former Zanu PF Harare provincial youth chairman Godwin Gomwe was released on $1 000 bail.
The State alleges that Handeseni and his co-accused demanded and received protection fees from the Grace Mugabe Housing Consortium claiming the money was to safeguard the housing co-operative from possible eviction.
Handeseni was granted $500 bail and remanded to June 17 when his charge would be merged with that of his alleged accomplices. He was represented by Rungano Mahuni.
Mahwe’s decision followed Mahuni’s argument that Handeseni’s bail conditions should be similar to those of his co-accused who were granted $500 bail by the High Court last Friday.
Gomwe, who had initially been denied bail on the grounds that he was suicidal, is being represented by Harare lawyer John Ndomene.
