Three news reporters face legal trouble for asking a government worker for money. Police say Desire Tshuma from Observer News first contacted Tafadzwa Tembura about a fraud story. He claimed Tembura misused $20,000 of worker funds. Tshuma offered to kill the story if Tembura paid him $100. Tembura gave him the cash during a meeting downtown.
The next day, Tshuma brought two more reporters who wanted lunch and another $100 payment. A week later, they sent Tembura a draft article with harmful claims. They warned him the story would run unless he paid more money. Tembura called anti-corruption officials, who set up a trap.
Police caught all three reporters taking marked money on April 23. The court released each journalist after they paid $100 bail. Their next court date is May 28. The government says Tshuma used threats about publishing negative news to pressure Tembura. Officials claim this shows how reporters sometimes abuse their position.
The next day, Tshuma brought two more reporters who wanted lunch and another $100 payment. A week later, they sent Tembura a draft article with harmful claims. They warned him the story would run unless he paid more money. Tembura called anti-corruption officials, who set up a trap.
Police caught all three reporters taking marked money on April 23. The court released each journalist after they paid $100 bail. Their next court date is May 28. The government says Tshuma used threats about publishing negative news to pressure Tembura. Officials claim this shows how reporters sometimes abuse their position.
