Diamonds flushed out of dealer’s mouth

A CHIKANGA man was forced to spit three diamonds he had hidden in his mouth by Minerals and Border Control detectives at 22 Miles Business Centre last week.

Francis Mukandatsama ( 32) has since appeared before the courts for contravening the Precious stones Act as defined in Section 3 (1) a read with Section 3 (2), Chapter 21:06.

He was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe.

Allegations were that on March 12, detectives received information to the effect that Mukandatsama was in the possession of diamonds which he intended to sell.

Reacting to the tip- off, the detectives teamed up and spotted a Toyota Vits which was parked at 22 Miles Shopping Centre.

Inside the vehicle were Mukandatsama and three other men.

The detectives introduced themselves to the four men who were inside the car and informed them that they were going to carry out a search on the vehicle.

A physical search was conducted and three pieces of diamonds were recovered from Mukandatsama’s mouth and one piece was also dis- covered from his pocket.

Two more pieces of diamonds were recovered in between the passage seat and the driver’s seat placed in a plastic sachet.

This led to the arrest of Mukandatsama’s accomplices Pedzisai Kurehwatira ( 33), Charles Kudzibatira ( 38) and Easy Tapiwa Ganya ( 35) who were also in the vehicle with him.

The four have since appeared before the courts facing the same charge.

They were being represented by Mr Farai Matinhure of Gonese, Ndlovu and Partners Legal Practitioners.