The ManicaPost
Anesu Kurebwaseka, Mutare Bureau
A DANGAMVURA illegal diamond dealer was recently caught with 12 pieces of diamonds hidden in his shoes in the city centre.
Daniel Chikotosa (26) pleaded not guilty to contravening Section 3(2) of Precious Stones Trade Act, Chapter 21.06 (Unlawful dealing or being in possession of precious stones.)
Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, presided over the matter, while Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted. Mr Mahwe remanded Chikotosa out of custody to July 20 on $300 bail.
Mr Karombe said Detective Constable Chakanza of the Minerals and Border Control Unit received information that Chikotosa was in possession of diamonds at Yabes Hardware on July 4.
Upon receiving the information, Detective Constable Chakanza teamed up with Detective Assistant Inspector Paradza, Detective Assistant Inspector Mutsinze, Detective Assistant Inspector Mpofu, Detective Constable Mangwiro and Detective Constable Chipiro and approached Chikotosa.
Chikotosa was seated in a vehicle which was parked near Yabes Hardware. The detectives blocked the vehicles with two cars.
“They approached Chikotosa and introduced themselves as detectives from the Minerals and Border Control Unit. Detective Constable Mpofu conducted a search on Chikotosa while Detective Constable Chipiro was witnessing the process.
“He was found with the diamonds in the right shoe he was wearing,” said Mr Karombe.
Meanwhile, six illegal diamond panners who were arrested prospecting for diamonds at the Chiadzwa diamond fields were arraigned in court last Thursday.
Gift Mapimbiro, Clever Sigera, Doit Jambaya, Barnabas, Lazarus and Jefro Oputeri, all of Mutambara Village in Chimanimani denied the charges when they appeared before Mr Mabwe.
They were being charged with contravening Section 368 (1) as read with Section 4 (a) (b) of the Mines and Minerals Act, Chapter 21:05, otherwise known as prospecting for a mineral without a permit or licence.
The six were granted $150 bail and the matter was adjourned to July 21 for trial.
The court ordered them to continue residing at their given addresses, not to interfere with witnesses and surrender their travelling documents as part of their bail conditions.
