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Faith Mabuto Midlands Reporter
THE trial of a CABS bank teller and three men who allegedly posed as journalists from gossip tabloid B-Metro to extort more than $1,200 from a nun after claiming they had her nude pictures has been set for October 23.

Tsitsi Kahari, 41, of Labsur Farm in Marondera, and her alleged accomplices, Mike Chimutanda, 41, of Acacia Grove, also in Marondera, Tenias Mapfune and Showan Ndlovu, whose addresses and ages were not given, allegedly threatened to publish Regina Mundi heamistress Sister Concilia Jangara’s nude pictures unless she paid them $1,208.

Kahari and Chimutanda appeared before Gweru Regional Magistrate Musaiwona Shotgame yesterday each facing one count of extortion. Their other accomplices, Mapfune and Ndlovu, are still at large.

The duo was remanded out of custody on $100 bail each to October 23. Prosecuting, Kelvin Guveya told the court that on July 9 this year at Regina Mundi High School in Gweru, Kahari connived with her accomplices Chimutanda, Mapfune and Ndlovu to extort $1,208 from Jangara, the headmistress of Regina Mundi Girls High School in Gweru.

The court heard that Chimutanda posed as a B-Metro reporter and had in his possession Jangara’s nude photos.

It was not said in court how Chimutanda got hold of the nude pictures or if he indeed is in possession of the said pictures.

“Chimutanda told Jangara that he could assist in stopping the publication of her nude photos if she paid them $1,208, which Jangara paid into Kahari’s CABS account,” said Guveya.

The court heard that Kahari then facilitated the withdrawal of the money by Chimutanda by giving him her bank card together with the pin number.

Guveya told the court that Chimutanda proceeded to CABS Marondera branch ATM and withdrew the money.

“Kahari, Chimutanda and their accomplices who are still at large shared the money among themselves,” said Guveya.

Further investigations by the police revealed that Kahari’s younger sister had introduced Chimutanda to her.

The investigations also revealed that there were at least four transactions that were made in withdrawing the money.

Jangara, who later discovered that she had been duped, the court heard, called the police.