The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Court Correspondent
TWO Mutare illegal diamond dealers were arrested with 157 pieces of diamonds at Hot Springs Shopping Centre recently.
The two had tried to speed off from a police vehicle, but were cornered in an unused dusty road.
Charles Gonzo (30) and Makiwa Ngoro (34) appeared in court for contravening Section 3 (1) of the Precious Stones Trade Act, Chapter 21: 06, otherwise known as dealing in or possession of precious stones without a permit or licence last week.
They appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mabwe who granted them $250 bail.
Public Prosecutor, Mr Fletcher Karombe appeared for the State, as Mutare lawyer, Mr Farai Matinhure of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners represented the pair.
Allegations were that police detective Isheanesu Madune picked information to the effect that Gonzo and Ngoro were involved in illegal diamond dealings on March 28.
He together with fellow detectives Mpofu and Chidhakwa reacted to the information and spotted the duo parked off the Mutare-Chimanimani Highway near Hot Springs in a Toyota Vitz vehicle. Upon seeing the detectives, Gonzo and Ngoro allegedly sped off in their vehicle towards Hot Springs Shopping Centre.
“They were arrested after they drove along a dead-end dusty road just by the shopping centre. Gonzo was searched and found in possession of 77 pieces of diamonds in his pair of shorts’ right pocket, while Ngoro had 80 pieces of the precious stones in his pair of trousers’ back pocket.” said Mr Karombe.
The matter was adjourned to April 28.
