Four accused of defrauding MMCZ

company who allegedly connived to authorise a false inspection report yesterday appeared in court facing fraud charges.
Aaron Mubaiwa (33), Ezekiel Manomano Mafara (46) and Patrick Marufu (43) all based at the MMCZ’s Mutare Road Offices and Lydia Zingwe (40) reportedly skipped procedures that were supposed to be undertaken for a licence to be granted to Freelife Investments.
They pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga who remanded them to June 15 on US$200 bail each.
As part of their reporting conditions, they were ordered to surrender passports, report twice a week to police and not to interfere with State witnesses.
Prosecutor Ms Vernancia Mtake says in terms of the Statutory Instrument 157 of 2010 applicants intending to deal in cutting and polishing diamonds, are required to submit application forms to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
It is alleged that between March 3 and 22 this year, Mubaiwa and Zingwe were cohabiting as husband and wife.
Mubaiwa in partnership with Mafara, Manomano and Marufu reportedly acted in connivance to favour Freelife Investments (Pvt) Ltd.
Mubaiwa, at the time, allegedly had the responsibility of assessing and approving Freelife Investment’s factory at 48A Herbert Chitepo Street in Mutare.
The aim was to assess if the premises were suitable for a cutting and polishing of diamonds business, it is alleged.
Well knowing it did not meet the required MMCZ standards, he allegedly approved and compiled an undated assessment report.
He reportedly conducted it without the approval of any other MMCZ evaluator as per procedure.
In this case Zvikomborero Kademeteme was the other signatory but never signed the approval form, the court heard.
At the same time Mafara and Marufu in the exercise of their duties recommended Freelife to be granted a licence, it is alleged.
Ms Mtake said they criminally approved the inspection report well knowing it was not in compliance with the requirements of the standards set by MMCZ.
On March 30, Mubaiwa allegedly authorised the release of 81,68 carats of diamonds again without the approval of another evaluator.
It is alleged the trio knew that the company did not meet the required standards. The State further alleges that the trio corruptly favoured Freelife Investments which acquired a total of 593,33 carats of rough diamonds worth US$57 292, 23 from MMCZ.