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Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent
FIVE men accused of stealing a parcel of diamonds worth US$31 000 from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport last month were yesterday each granted US$150 bail by Harare magistrate Mrs Appolonia Marutya.
Silas Chirume (54), a Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) diamonds inspector, is being jointly charged with Edward Jacob Gunda (62) of Anjin Investments stationed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as assistant security manager, Maison Phiri (37) MMCZ’s diamond evaluator, Steven Wahita (56) Anjin investments’ security supervisor and Isaac Muripa (37), a police detective attached to the airport.
The five allegedly stole the diamonds destined for the United Arab Emirates and were remanded to June 12.
The case took another twist on Monday after the court heard that Erleen Gold Trading DMCC of Dubai bought the diamonds without going through the official bidding process, a factor stressed by the defence when cross-examining the investigating officer during the bail application.
Defence lawyers Mr. Joseph Nemaisa and Mr. George Makonere told the court that the complainant who reported the theft of one of the 100 parcels being sent out together, Paolo Persico representing Erleen Gold Trading, did not take part in the bidding process for the diamonds.
The lawyers said Persico was again not on the viewing list and therefore, a blanket bidding was conducted.
Mr Makonere asked the investigating officer why the police had not arrested Lieutenant Colonel Tapfumaneyi Mhuka and Kim Song since they were the ones who signed the packing list and the release order. Mr Manokore alleged that amounted to selective application of the law.
Allegations are that on April 17 at around 9am, Anjin Investments (Pvt) Ltd packed the diamonds in preparation for shipping them to Erleen Gold Trading in Dubai.
During packing, personnel from Anjin, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, a member from CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit, and the customer, Paolo Persico, representing Erleen Gold Trading, were present.
The five accused were part of the team responsible for packing 100 parcels into 10 bags before they were sealed in a trunk.
Investigations by police revealed that it was at this time that the five stole one packet containing diamonds weighing 98,2 carats.
On May 3, the consignment was shipped to the customer in the United Arab Emirates, who upon receiving it, discovered that parcel number 39 containing diamonds weighing 98,2 carats was missing. MMCZ was notified and the matter was reported to the police, leading to an investigation.
Six days later, detectives from CID viewed CCTV footage at Anjin’s offices at the airport to establish what had happened on April 17 when the packing was done.
During the review of the footage, Chirume was observed picking up one parcel that contained the diamonds and placing it in his right trousers pocket in full view of the other four accused persons.
Chirume was then arrested and he implicated Phiri, Gunda, Wahita, and Muripa.
He told the police that they each shared US$4 000 after selling the loot to a person identified as Boss Guzu for US$20 000.
Chirume also led the police to the recovery of a silver Honda Fit, registration number AFA 1397, which he bought for US$3 200 using his share of the loot.
The other accused persons were arrested on separate occasions with Phiri telling police that he used part of his share to pay school fees. Police managed to recover only US$1 000 from him.
Gunda told the police that he was given US$3 800 as part of his share and that he lost US$2 000 to soccer betting, while he used US$1 700 to pay school fees.
The diamonds were valued at approximately US$31 010,53 and only US$1 000 was recovered.
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