5 years jail for $8 gold
A 28- year-old man from Gweru has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for illegally possessing gold worth $8.
Samuel Murindi who resides at number 722 Mkoba 4, Gweru appeared before Gweru Magistrate Mr Tayengwa Madanhire facing one count of possessing 0, 23 grammes of gold without a permit or licence.
Murindi was convicted against his own plea of not guilty.
Mr Madanhire sentenced him imprisonment. The gold was forfeited to the State. Prosecuting, Ms Helen Khosa, told the court that on January 12 in 2014 detectives conducted a stop and to five years search operation in Mkoba suburb.
She said the operation was mainly targeted at illegal gold dealers and gold panners.
“During the patrol, the officers received information to the effect that the accused was in possession of gold.
“Reacting to the information, the officers approached the accused person who was at house number 2182 Mkoba 14, Gweru.
“The officers introduced themselves and their purpose of patrol and conducted a body search on the accused,” said Ms Khosa.
The court heard 0,23 grammes of gold was found in his right pocket.
The accused was asked to produce documents authorising him to possess the gold but he failed leading to his arrest.
“The recovered gold was sent to assay and it was found that it contains 0.23g of pure gold valued at $8.42,” said Ms Khosa.— @wynnezane.