Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
A BULAWAYO man’s dream of striking it rich turned into a costly lesson after detectives found a glittering stash of gold hiding in his trousers pocket.
Ocean Mpofu (39) of Cowdray Park suburb was slapped with a US$250 fine after being convicted of unlawfully possessing 8.43 grams of gold worth US$1 093.
Mpofu appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Prosecutor Catherine khuzu said on June 9, detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit were conducting patrols when they received a tip-off that Mpofu was carrying gold.
Like prospectors hunting for treasure, the detectives followed the information straight to Mpofu’s home.
The officers found Mpofu at his residence and explained the reason for their visit.
They found after a brief search, tucked away in the right pocket of his trousers, 8.43 grams of smelted gold.
Unfortunately for Mpofu, the gold was easier to produce than the paperwork needed to keep it legally.
When detectives asked him to produce a licence or permit authorising him to possess or deal in gold, he came up empty-handed.
That was enough to see him escorted into police custody.
The shiny exhibit was later taken to the School of Mines and Mining Development’s Metallurgy Department in Bulawayo for testing.
Experts confirmed that the recovered gold weighed 8.43 grams and carried a value of US$1 093.
For the offence, Mpofu was fined US$250. If he fails to pay before July 17, he will swap the comfort of home for nine months behind bars
