Three men accused of impersonating state security operatives and extorting a mining firm by leveraging the name of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son are currently on trial in Bulawayo. The case has taken a notable turn after a magistrate struck off one of the seven charges against them.
Munyaradzi Charakupa, Tawanda Mangi, and Victor Jaja face serious allegations including fraud, extortion, attempted extortion, and impersonation of public officials. However, the court acquitted them on a charge involving an intimidation claim due to insufficient evidence.
Prosecutors allege that the trio posed as officers from the President’s Department, Police Protection Unit, and Military Intelligence, threatening to revoke mining licenses unless payments were made. They reportedly extorted over US$55,000 between February and August 2024, often invoking Sean Mnangagwa’s name to intimidate victims.
One significant incident involved the accused presenting a forged Power of Attorney, coercing a lawyer, Dumisani Dube, to hand over US$40,000, falsely claiming control over a mining company. They also demanded money for “accommodation and car servicing” and even attempted to access a mine under the guise of police officers.
Sean Mnangagwa has denied any involvement, urging victims to report the matter to police. The trial continues with the next hearing scheduled for August 22, as the court seeks to bring clarity and justice to this high-profile case.
