The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
Two Rusape female illegal money changers had their luck run out when they were pounced upon by alert detectives and arrested carrying out their dealings at a local wholesaler. Dias Matyatya (25) of 2834 Mabvazuva and Mary Chinyowa (32) of NE320B Vengere appeared in court last Saturday facing a charge of dealing in foreign currency as defined in section 5 (1)(a)(ii) of the exchange control act chapter 22.05 as read with section 2 of the exchange regulations 2017 (NO 5) SI 122A of 2017, which makes it illegal to buy and sell foreign currency without licence.
The duo who were represented by Mr Leonard Chigadza of Chigadza and Associates were not asked to plead when they appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Mr Shane Kubonera who did not ask the pair to plead and released them on free bail. State prosecutor Mr Gift Mutigwa told the court that Matyatya and Chinyowa were seen exchanging US dollars and Bond notes and upon being searched they were found with various currencies.
“On 9 November 2017 around 1100hrs and at N Richards Complex, CID Rusape detectives led by Patson Zulu were on surveillance of foreign exchange dealers. They were in a Zimbabwe Republic Police Defender registration number ADM 1328 white in colour. The detectives observed Matyatya holding US dollars and giving them to Chinyowa who in turn gave Matyatya Zimbabwean Bond notes dollars.
“When accused persons saw the detectives approaching them Matyatya then put her cash in a taxi bag and Chinyowa put hers in a black hand bag. The two detectives introduced themselves and advised the accused persons that they were under arrest and were going to police station. The accused persons first resisted arrest but later admitted. The accused persons refused to surrender the exhibits to the detectives. The detectives could not forcibly retrieve the exhibits since the accused persons were females,” he said.
While on their way to the police station outside N Richards gate Matyatya threw a plastic bag with cash on the ground and it was taken by detectives to the police station.
“Upon arrival at the police station accused persons were searched by female detectives from CID Rusape. Matyatya’s plastic bag contained Zimbabwe Bond $838-56, US$337-00 and South African R70. Chinyowa had Zimbabwean Bond $725-30 and US$119-00. The cash was taken as exhibit and can be produced in court as evidence,” said Mr Mutigwa.
Mr Kubonera postponed the matter to 24 November 2017 for trial.
