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Tendai Gukutikwa Post Correspondent
THREE Congolese refugees who were allegedly nabbed with 47 pieces of diamonds last week have been granted $300 bail each.
Bayo Armadu (23), Mambuni Eli (44) and Mohammed Sisse (36) were ordered surrender their passports at the Mutare Magistrates’ Court’s Clerk of Court and pay $300 bail each.
They were also warned against interfering with witnesses, continue residing at their given addresses and report at Mutare Central Police Station once every Friday.
Armadu, Eli and Sisse who reside at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge denied the charges of unlawful dealing or being found in possession of diamonds when they appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi last Saturday.
They allegedly contravened Section 3(1) as read with Section 3(2) of the Precious Stones Trade Act, Chapter 21:06.
Prominent Mutare lawyer, Mr Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners represented the trio.
Prosecuting was Mr Matthew Chimutunga.
Allegations were that, detectives received information to the effect that Amadu, Eli and Sisse were in illegal possession of diamonds in Mutare’s CBD.
“Equipped with the information, Detective Assistant Inspector Mpofu teamed up with Detective Sergeants Magune, Mucharuona and Moyo and made a follow-up on the trio.
“Upon arrival at Number 20, Arcadia Road, Morningside, Mutare where the trio was stationed, the detectives searched the house and recovered a plastic sachet containing 47 pieces of diamonds,” said Mr Chimutunga.
He further alleged that the sachet that contained the 47 pieces of diamonds was found under a tree covered with a piece of floor tile.
The trio was remanded to October 4.
Online Reporter