11kg gold intercepted

Crime Reporter
A 33-YEAR-OLD man was arrested at Plumtree Border Post on Monday as he allegedly attempted to smuggle 11kg of gold, worth $442 775 out of the country. Fisher Matura allegedly created a false compartment under the chassis of his vehicle were he stashed the gold.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the arrest.

Matura was arrested by detectives from the CID Minerals and Border Control Unit following a tip off.

“Circumstances are that members of the ZRP Minerals and Border Control Unit received a tip-off to the effect that the accused intended to smuggle gold out of the country. The accused was driving a silver Hyundai minibus.

“The car had already gone through all the necessary immigration and Zimra processes.

“The police officers stopped and searched the vehicle and discovered 12 gold bars and two gold cones hidden in a false compartment under the chassis of the vehicle wrapped in a khaki paper,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

Matura allegedly failed to produce any export or gold buying permit as required in terms of the Gold Trade Act, resulting in his arrest.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba warned smugglers that police were on alert and those who violate the law would be arrested.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to warn all those who are involved in smuggling gold outside the country that we have stepped up operations at our border posts.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police will not allow those bent on derailing the country’s Zim-Asset initiatives and hence will arrest all those law-breakers,” she said.