3 Journalists in Court for Alleged Extortion Over Fake News Threat

3 Journalists in Court for Alleged Extortion Over Fake News Threat

Three journalists — Desire Tshuma (47) of Observer News, and Simbarashe Sithole (36) and Gideon Madzikatidze (38) of Bulawayo24 News — have appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court, facing extortion charges.

According to the State, it all began on 15 April 2025 when Tshuma contacted Tafadzwa Tembura, a senior official at the Zimbabwe Copyright Centre (ZICCD), via WhatsApp. Using a NetOne number, Tshuma introduced himself as a journalist from Observer News and claimed he was investigating a fraud case involving Tembura and more than US$20,000 in mismanaged staff funds.

Tshuma allegedly offered to drop the story in exchange for US$100. Tembura agreed and handed over the cash during a meeting along Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in Harare.

But the demands didn’t stop there.

The following day, Tshuma returned — this time with Sithole and Madzikatidze, who said they were with Bulawayo24 News. The trio allegedly pressured Tembura to buy them lunch and pay another US$100, bringing the total paid to US$200.

On 16 April, Tshuma set up yet another meeting, this time under the guise of getting Tembura’s side of the story. But instead of a fair interview, the threats reportedly continued.

Then on 22 April, Sithole allegedly sent another message to maintain pressure, and a day later, Tshuma forwarded a draft article — said to be written by Sithole and Madzikatidze — containing damaging allegations. The message reportedly came with a warning: if no further payment was made, the story would be published.

Suspecting extortion, Tembura alerted the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), which set up a sting operation.

On 23 April, all three journalists were caught red-handed at the same Kwame Nkrumah Avenue spot, allegedly accepting another US$100 in trap money.

They were each granted US$100 bail and are due back in court on 28 May 2025.

The post 3 Journalists in Court for Alleged Extortion Over Fake News Threat appeared first on iHarare News.