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Crime Reporter
ZANU-PF Harare provincial youth chairman Godwin Gomwe and six of his accomplices are believed to have extorted thousands of dollars from more housing co-operatives apart from the $46 000 they are appearing in court for.

The seven were arrested over the weekend on allegations of extorting $46 000 from eight housing co-operatives in Glen Norah using the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe’s name.

Gomwe, alias Mambo (34), Muchineripi Mupindu, alias Ginya (36), Fidelis Ndaradza, alias Brigadier (32), Haruwandi Munyawiri, alias Baya (46), Hamphrey Madenyika (29), Josephine Hadziindi (59) and Norah Toronga (38) are appearing before Harare magistrate, Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe, facing charges of extortion.

Sources on Monday said some of the receipts used to commit the offences were not recovered and police would continue with investigations once some of the complainants make reports.

“We believe that they destroyed some of the receipt books that they issued to some of the victims. It was well orchestrated since they knew that what they were doing was a criminal offence,” said a police source.

The source said most of the people were also victimised during the process so that they would not make reports.

The group is believed to have been using the same method of operation to extort unsuspecting housing co-operatives on separate occasions.

Those who could have lost their money to the group have been urged to approach the nearest police station and assist with investigations.

The group members reportedly told officials from housing co-operatives that the land they were given belonged to the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe before demanding bribes to “authorise” development. They are currently facing three counts of extortion involving $46 200.