State Withdraws Extortion Charges Against Trio of Journalists

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The state has withdrawn extortion charges against freelance journalists Desire Tshuma, Simbarashe Sithole and Gideon Madzikatidze after the case was called off before plea at Harare Magistrate Court on Tuesday.

The prosecution established that Sithole and Madzikatidze were impersonated by Zimpapers reporter Abel Ndooka and freelance journalist Allan Mloshwa, who posed as reporters from Bulawayo24 and demanded money from the complainant, Tafadzwa Masembura.

On 15 April 2025, Desire Tshuma contacted Masembura, a senior official at the Zimbabwe Copyright and Copy Control Department (ZICCD), via WhatsApp using a NetOne number. Tshuma, identifying himself as a journalist with Observer News, claimed to be investigating an alleged fraud involving Masembura and over US$20,000 in mismanaged employee funds.

Tshuma allegedly proposed not publishing the story in exchange for US$100, which Masembura paid during a meeting on Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in central Harare. The following day, Tshuma appeared with Sithole and Madzikatidze, claiming to represent Bulawayo24 News. They coerced Masembura into buying them lunch and paying an additional US$100, increasing the total to US$200.

On 16 April, Tshuma arranged another meeting purportedly to obtain Masembura’s side of the story, but maintained a coercive tone. Sithole continued pressure through a WhatsApp message on 22 April and on 23 April, Tshuma forwarded a draft article authored by Sithole and Madzikatidze containing damaging allegations and a warning that the story would be published if more money was not paid.

Suspecting extortion, Masembura reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), which organised a sting operation. The three journalists were apprehended on 23 April accepting US$100 in trap money at the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue location.

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