Diamond picker caught with 17 pieces

Tendai Gukutikwa Weekender Correspondent —
A DIAMOND picker employed by Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company was found in possession of 17 pieces of diamonds. Innocent Mushipe (36) was not asked to plead when he appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi on Monday.

Representing Mushipe was Mutare lawyer, Mr Farai Matinhure of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, while Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted.

Mushipe was, however, released after Mr Matinhure argued that his client had been detained by the police for more than 48 hours without a warrant of further detention.

Mr Mukwengi released Mushipe and said the matter should proceed by way of summons.
The State had alleged that on October 27, Mushipe was on duty where his duties include offloading diamond concentrate ore with a shovel from an overheard bin into drums.

“Unknown to Mushipe that he was being monitored by CCTV operators, Dzingirayi Matembwe and Robert Mwale, he selected diamond pieces from the ore and hid them in his mouth,” said Mr Karombe.

The two monitors are alleged to have alerted Godwin Gwara who then rushed to where Mushipe was working. Mushipe discovered that he had been spotted hiding the diamonds and left his workplace.

He proceeded to the dining room where he wrapped the diamonds with a plastic and dropped them in the dining room.

He was arrested by Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company security guards and handed over to the police the next day.