Money changers fined for violating lockdown
SEVEN Chinhoyi money changers appeared in court for violating lockdown regulations and were fined $10 000 each.
Trymore Chigwede (24), Takudzwa Jokonya (27), Obey Manyesa (24), Simbarashe Mudzinge (26), Floyd Paratema (21), Gorge Nyaude (37) and Tafadzwa Marehwa (26) were brought before Chinhoyi provincial Magistrate Tendai Banda, for violating the lockdown order by unnecessary movement during the national lockdown.
The money changers were arrested by Privilege Chigega, Princess Mutadza and Faith Savhieri, all of ZRP Chinhoyi Central.
Review Nikisi told the court that on Thursday last week, the police officers were on patrol to enforce lockdown restrictions when they came across the accused persons.
They were asked to produce exemption letters to justify their presence in town and they failed.
The seven were arrested for unnecessary movement during the national lockdown.
Meanwhile, in a related case, Tonderai Mutswiri (33) of 5879 White City, Chinhoyi, also appeared in court charged with the same offence, and appeared to have come to town to be a money changer, Mutswiri was also fined $10 000. The court heard that on Wednesday at around 11.53 am, Mutswiri parked a blue BMW 3118 series registration number AEH 6769 in front of the entrance of TM South, Chinhoyi.
However, Mutswiri was observed making unnecessary movements in front of TM Supermarket by Patrick Madzore, who is one of the supermarket staff who then informed Inspector Ngovani.
On the same date, at around 3 pm, a reaction team went to TM South CBD Chinhoyi and arrested him.
Upon being quizzed on his mission in town, he failed to produce evidence that he was an essential services provider, and was taken to Chinhoyi Central Police Station.
Police later made further investigations with regards to the accused person’s activities in town.
The officers checked a CCTV footage at TM South, where Mutswiri was captured and appeared to be conducting illegal foreign currency dealings with several people.