A 42-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly extorting more than E6000 from two married men by threatening to expose their alleged infidelity to their wives.
Senzo Ndlovu of Fairview North appeared before Magistrate Thami Ndlovu at the Manzini Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where he faced two counts of extortion.
According to court documents, the first incident occurred on April 11 at Ngwane Park. It is alleged that Ndlovu unlawfully pressured Sibusiso Mamba by threatening to reveal confidential information regarding his alleged infidelity, coercing him into parting with E520.
In a separate count, Ndlovu was accused of committing a similar offence on April 7, near the Manzini Pick and Pay store. He allegedly used the same tactic on Simon Dlamini, who was reportedly forced to hand over E6 000 under threat of exposure.
Ndlovu was initially remanded into custody until April 22 pending the setting of a trial date. He later applied for bail, which was granted and was fixed at E4000 under standard bail conditions.
These include that he must not interfere with Crown witnesses, must not commit similar offences, and must appear in court as and when required to do so.
It was alleged that Ndlovu targeted married men visiting brothels.
Investigators claim he would position himself near such establishments, identify potential victims and follow them after leaving the establishments. He would then allegedly confront them with claims that their companions were known to him, using this as leverage to demand money while threatening to expose their activities to their spouses.
