adminEmmah Chinyamutangira Manicaland Correspondent
Two Mutare men have appeared before the courts on charges of smuggling 60 tonnes of chrome ore into Mozambique.
Talkmore Chibuwe (43) and Jeremiah Biti (43) appeared before Mutare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe, who postponed the case to June 20, 2019 for sentencing.
Prosecutor Mr Chris Munyuku told the court that on October 9, 2018 at around 7pm, the pair hatched a plan to export 60 tonnes of chrome ore through Forbes Border Post in Mutare.
They hired two drivers employed by Albritim to drive the two haulage trucks which were loaded with 30 tonnes of chrome ore each, allegedly belonging to Biti.
Upon arrival at the border, the drivers sought assistance of Chibuwe, a clearing agent, to clear the chrome ore.
Biti later sent someone with customs clearance documents comprising of Bulk Clearance Entry Number E880 and the documents were given to a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officer who cleared the consignment. The trucks were intercepted by detectives as they made their way to the exit point. Investigations were carried out and it was established that the bulk clearance used was invalid as it had expired.
The trucks were seized by Zimra and the chrome ore recovered.
Online Reporter