(HERALD) 3 CIO operatives jailed

3 CIO operatives jailed

THREE Central Intelligence Organisation operatives were yesterday sentenced to an effective four years in jail for extorting US$6 000 from a city businesswoman who they accused of flouting Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe tender procedures.

Jacob Ropafadzo Mudarikiri (23), Blessing Tarumbwa (24) and Jim Fish Kasumba (35) had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

But Magistrate Mrs Lillian Kudya convicted them of extortion after a full trial.

She slapped the three with a seven-year jail term each but conditionally suspended one year.

The court further suspended two years on condition they each pay back US$666 by February 28, 2009.

The court heard that the three, who were employed by the President’s office at Chaminuka and Munhumutapa buildings, demanded US$100 000 from Ms Effie Zituta whose transport company was contracted to ferry some of the Farm mechanisation Programme equipment.

They were given US$6 000 on October 20.

The three were arrested two days later when they went to collect the balance from Ms Zituta at her house in Borrowdale. The CIO operatives had US$4 000 on them when they were arrested.