BULAWAYO - Five Bulawayo councillors are now facing prosecution in a widening Bulawayo extortion case built around a stalled 50 year hotel development lease. Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu, Ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, former Ward 22 councillor Alderman Rodney Jele, Ward 3 councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu and Ward 15 councillor Ashton Mhlanga are all accused of conspiring to extort US$52,000 from a local businessman.

The case stems from a lease awarded by Bulawayo City Council in 2023 to Mkhuze Global Investments, a company owned by businessman Thulani Mthuli Matshazi, for the development of a Hilton Hotel franchise. No construction has taken place on the site.

Prosecutors allege that in August 2026 the accused told Matshazi that a rival investor was prepared to pay US$52,000 to have his lease cancelled, and that he would need to match the amount to keep it. The State says Jele arranged a meeting at a lodge in Matsheumhlope on August 14 where the demand was made, and that US$5,000 changed hands at Matshazi's home the following day. Matshazi reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission, which ran a trap operation before making the arrests.

The Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission has said investigators encountered resistance while arresting Ndlovu. According to court evidence, the deputy mayor locked himself inside his private office, forcing officers to bring in a locksmith to gain entry.

Ndlovu and Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu abandoned their bail applications and did not seek release, while Jele pursued his own bid for freedom. His application was dismissed and he was remanded in custody to September 10. Mahlangu and Mhlanga, who handed themselves over to the commission after the first three were arrested, separately challenged their placement on remand. Bulawayo magistrate Themba Chimiso dismissed that challenge as well, ruling that the State had shown enough evidence to link the pair to the alleged scheme even though some of the defence arguments had merit.

Prosecutor Milton Moyo told the court that placement on remand does not amount to a finding of guilt, and that the State only needs to show involvement in the alleged offence at this stage rather than prove it beyond reasonable doubt. Defence lawyers have separately argued that Ndlovu's arrest itself was improperly carried out, saying plain clothed men forced entry into his office at York House without identifying themselves.

All five accused have not been convicted and remain presumed innocent. They are due back in court on September 10, 2026.

The case has drawn wider attention to how long term development leases are managed by Bulawayo City Council, coming three years after Ndlovu was previously arrested and later granted bail in a separate case involving an alleged US$20,000 bribe over industrial land.