A Harare City Council employee has appeared in court facing criminal abuse of office charges for allegedly demanding US$3 000 after lying that the local authority wanted to demolish structures at a resident's home.

Magistrate Dennis Mangosi, on Friday remanded James Mazvimba on free bail to November 2 for trial.

Prosecutor Zebediah Bofu said sometime in August 2020, Mazvimba told Tariro Mupawaenda that council wanted to demolish structures on his housing stand in Mabelreign.

Sometime in August this year Mupawaenda received a letter from Mazvimba advising him of the impending demolition.

Mazvimba allegedly demanded US$3 000 from Mupawaenda to stop the demolition and the matter was reported to the police.