Anjin diamonds stolen at RGM Airport
A DIAMOND inspector, evaluator, two security guards and a police officer are in trouble after allegedly stealing a package containing diamonds that was meant for shipping to the United Arab Emirates.
The theft occurred as they packed the diamonds at Anjin’s offices at Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM) International Airport in Harare.
Allegations are that on April 17, 2024 at around 9am, Anjin Investments (Pvt) Ltd undertook a diamond packing exercise in preparation for shipping diamonds to the United Arab Emirates to a company called Erleen Gold Trading DMCC Dubai.
During packing, personnel from Anjin, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, a member from CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU), Harare and the customer, Paolo Persico, representing Erleen Gold Trading DMCC Dubai, were present.
The accused persons — Silas Chirume (54), Edward Jacob Gunda (62), Maison Phiri (37), Steven Wahita (56) and Isaac Muripa (37) — were part of the personnel responsible for packing 100 parcels into 10 bags before they were sealed in a trunk.
Chirume is employed as a diamond inspector at the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), Phiri is a diamond evaluator at MMCZ and Gunda is an assistant security manager at Anjin Investments at Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM) International Airport in Harare.
Wahita is a security supervisor at Anjin Investments stationed at RGM International Airport and Muripa is a detective constable at CID MFFU Harare attached to RGM International Airport.
Investigations by the police revealed that it was at this time that the accused persons connived and stole one sachet containing diamonds weighing 98.20 carats.
On May 3, 2024, the consignment was shipped to the customer in the United Arab Emirates, who upon receiving the consignment discovered that parcel number 39, containing diamonds weighing 98.20 carats was missing.
The MMCZ was notified of the shortage and it reported the matter to the police, leading to an investigation.
Six days later, detectives from CID MFFU Harare went and reviewed a CCTV camera footage at Anjin’s offices at the airport to establish what had transpired on April 17, 2024 when the packing process took place.
During the review of the footage, Chirume, who was packing some bags, was observed picking one parcel which contained the diamonds and placing it in his right trousers pocket in view of the other accused persons.
Chirume was then arrested and he implicated Phiri, Gunda,
Wahita and Muripa.
He told the police that they shared US$4 000 each after sale of the loot, to one only known as Boss Guzu for US$20 000.
Chirume also led the police to the recovery of a silver Honda Fit, registration number AFA 1397, which he bought for US$3 200 using his share of the loot.
The other accused persons were arrested on separate occasions, where Phiri told the police that he used part of his share to pay for school fees.
Police managed to only recover US$1 000 from him.
Gunda told the police that he got US$3 800 as part of his share and that he lost US$2 000 to soccer betting, while he used US$1 700 to pay for school fees and other welfare issues.
The diamonds were valued at approximately US$31 010,53 and only US$1 000 was recovered.
The accused persons appeared in court yesterday before Harare magistrate Simon Kandiyero, who remanded them in custody to tomorrow for bail application.
Takudzwa Jambawo appeared for the state.
Chirume was represented by Joseph Nemaisa of MD Hungwe Attorneys, while Phiri was represented by Hamunakwadi of Hamunakwadi and Nyandoro Law Chambers.
Gunda, Wahita and Muripa were being represented by George Manokore of MD Hungwe Attorneys.
Meanwhile in Mutare, two security guards were assaulted while on duty by a Chinese boss.
The assault occurred at Picking House 07 Anjin Mine New Plant, Chiadzwa Diamond Fields, Mutare, on May 9, 2024 at around 6:15am.
The complainants in the matter are Hardwork Gwarada (28) of Gwarada Village under Chief Zimunya in Mutare and Aleck Musabaika (33) of Budiriro 1 in Harare.
The two are employed as security guards at Anjin Mine in Chiadzwa, Mutare.
The accused in the matter is Wang Xianwu (44), a Chinese national, who is employed as a diamond picker at Anjin Mine in Chiadzwa.
Circumstances are that on the day, Wang opened the diamond Picking House 07 in the absence of CID Minerals, MMCZ and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officials.
He then instructed one Chinese national and other pickers to enter.
Gwaradza and Musabaika informed Wang that it was unlawful to unlock and enter into the picking house during the absence of CID Minerals, MMCZ and Zimra officials, but Wang told them that he was the boss at the plant and would do whatever he wanted.
Other pickers complied with the guards’ request.
But Wang went outside, grabbed diamond picker John Mukwada’s hand and dragged him into the picking house.
Gwaradza and Musabaika blocked the entrance, but Wang used force and entered.
After facing resistance, Wang attempted to push the guards away, but failed.
He then kicked Musabaika several times on the right leg.
Gwaradza managed to fend off Wang while Musabaika went to call their supervisor.
Wang took advantage and kicked Gwaradza once on the right thigh and once on the left rib before going out of the diamond picking house.