Gold dealers nabbed

FOUR suspected gold dealers recently appeared in court over allegations of theft of 72 tonnes of gold ore at Nyabuwe 5 Mine, Chisero in Nyanga.

The stolen gold ore is valued at US$23 760 and nothing was recovered.

The director of Nyapanana Mining Syndicate Florence Nyamukapa and her employees Passmore Reva, Pritchard Zikani and Mutume Godknows - are facing three counts of contravening Section 379 of the Mines and Minerals Act, Chapter 21:05 (theft of gold ore).

The four are also facing charges of transporting ore without a permit.

Mutare regional magistrate, Mr Taurai Manuwere presided over the matter and remanded the four out of custody to October 31 for continuation of trial. Mr Nyasha Gerald Mukonyora prosecuted. In the first count, Mr Mukonyora said on August 28, 2021 at Nyabuwe 5 Mine, the accused persons unlawfully took Mr Julius Ceaser Manyuchi’s 72 tonnes of gold ore.

Mr Manyuchi’s mine manager, Mr Willard Chandiringa discovered the theft and advised the complainant.

A report was made at Ruwangwe Police Station.

Mr Mukonyora also said the accused persons were interviewed by a police detective from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID)’s Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Mutare, Constable Simbarashe Mashange over the gold ore theft.

They claimed that they were the rightful owners of the gold ore.

They also claimed that they were the ones who had extracted it before officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development had pegged the area’s mine claims.

However, a Ministry of Mines and Mining Development survey report revealed that the gold ore was from Mr Manyuchi’s mine claim.

Mr Mukonyora said on August 28, 2021, Constable Mashange asked the accused persons to produce an ore removal permit, but they failed to do so, thereby leading to their arrest.

In the third charge, the quartet is accused of undermining police authority.

Said Mr Mukonyora:“The accused persons were advised to stop the transportation of the gold ore until the matter was finalised by the court. Instead, they blocked the police’s exit road using their truck, thereby forcing the police to reverse their car. They over-rode the police’s instruction not to transport the gold ore and also shouted at the police officers.”