Allan Wilson High School headmaster Tafara Zhou faces sexual abuse charges from a former student. Zhou struck back with extortion accusations against the same student. The headmaster claims the student demanded $15,000 to drop the assault case. Tanaka Elvis Sikwavaile and accomplice Charles Masiyandaita appeared before Harare magistrate Apollonia Marutya yesterday. Both men face extortion charges related to the alleged scheme.
Police arrested Zhou on April 12 for aggravated indecent assault charges. Officials released him on bail, and Zhou changed his phone number afterward. Masiyandaita contacted school board vice-chairperson Emmanuel Venge on April 25. The former teacher claimed he represented Sikwavaile and demanded payment from Zhou. Masiyandaita threatened that Zhou would face trial and jail time without payment.
Venge reported the extortion attempt to Zhou, who refused to participate. School officials immediately contacted the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission about the demands. ZACC investigators asked Venge to call Masiyandaita back and confirm the extortion plot. Masiyandaita repeated his demand for $15,000 to withdraw the assault case. Authorities arrested both men at the Montague Shopping Centre after they received $200 during the arranged meeting.
Police arrested Zhou on April 12 for aggravated indecent assault charges. Officials released him on bail, and Zhou changed his phone number afterward. Masiyandaita contacted school board vice-chairperson Emmanuel Venge on April 25. The former teacher claimed he represented Sikwavaile and demanded payment from Zhou. Masiyandaita threatened that Zhou would face trial and jail time without payment.
Venge reported the extortion attempt to Zhou, who refused to participate. School officials immediately contacted the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission about the demands. ZACC investigators asked Venge to call Masiyandaita back and confirm the extortion plot. Masiyandaita repeated his demand for $15,000 to withdraw the assault case. Authorities arrested both men at the Montague Shopping Centre after they received $200 during the arranged meeting.
