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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
FOUR suspected gold smugglers, among them a 33-year-old Kwekwe man who was arrested while trying to smuggle gold valued almost $1 million into Botswana, are set to appear before the Bulawayo magistrates’ courts on November 4.
James Ray Tudhope, Fisher Matura, 33, who were coming for remand at the Plumtree magistrate’s court yesterday and Strydom Arthur, 29, and Lombard Dale, 28, who were due for trial, were advised separately of the new development by Plumtree magistrate, Livard Philemon.
Prosecuting, Clemence Shawarira requested that the four suspects be transferred to Court Number Two at the Bulawayo Regional Court where they would be furnished with their trial dates.
“Your case has been transferred to the Bulawayo Regional Court. You are expected to report to Court Number Two on November 4,” said Philemon.
The reasons behind the transfer were not disclosed.
Tudhope, who stays in Chicago Plots area in Kwekwe, is facing charges of possessing gold without a permit or licence, smuggling and using a vehicle with a disguised place adapted for purposes of concealing goods.
He was intercepted by detectives while he was driving a Toyota Hilux single cab vehicle on his way to Botswana. They requested to search his vehicle and discovered that beneath the mat which was on the floor of the loading box were some secret compartments.
The police went on to recover eight small boxes hidden in the secret compartments and they contained 76 pieces of gold, valued at $976,000.
Tudhope was granted $2,000 bail.
Harare-based Matura was arrested while trying to smuggle 11,4 kilogrammes of gold through the Plumtree Border Post and was granted $1,000 bail.
He was intercepted at the Plumtree Border Post on September 25 while trying to smuggle the gold valued at $422,775 into Botswana.
Police intercepted Matura, who was driving a Hyundai minibus, while at the Plumtree Border Post exit gate.
Upon searching his vehicle they discovered 12 bars and two cones of gold hidden inside.
Two South Africans were also arrested at the same border while trying to smuggle 5,336 kilogrammes of gold valued at $178,976.
Strydom Arthur and Lombard Dale, who are both from Johannesburg, were each granted $1,000 bail.
Dale is also the owner of Computer Suppliers Company in Bulawayo. The pair is facing charges of possessing gold without a licence and smuggling gold.
Detectives discovered that their vehicle contained a false compartment which housed a spare wheel. They opened the false compartment using a remote device and they discovered a small bag which contained 22 pieces of gold.
The two men allegedly offered a R16,000 bribe to detectives from the Plumtree Border minerals and border control unit.
All four suspects are represented by Tanaka Muganyi of Dube, Banda, Nzarayapenga and Partners.
Smuggling of gold has become a common feature at the Plumtree Border Post as smugglers attempt to sell the mineral in South Africa.
Online Reporter