admina diamond.
Matenga, who was not asked to plead, appeared before Mrs Anniah Ndiraya who granted him US$20 bail.
As part of the bail conditions, he was asked to reside at his given address and not to interfere with State witnesses.
The case will be heard on March 16.
Matenga — who was represented by Mr Johannes Zviuya of Bere Brothers — was covering a civil society facility tour of Chiadzwa diamond fields when the alleged incident happened.
Prosecutor Mr Truman Joma said the incident happened on Wednesday when Matenga was on a familiarisation tour of the fields together with other journalists from different stables.
“. . . the accused person was on a familiarisation tour at Marange Resources diamonds mines together with other media personnel. While at the fields the team went through induction by chief security officer Mr Numeri Muwandi on the dos and don’ts at the mine.
“The accused person was touring the mine together with other media personnel when he was observed by the CC television operator, Mr Vengai Zvinavashe, taking out something from his wallet and he acted as if he had swallowed it while in the exit search room,” he said.
Matenga was then searched by a security guard, Mr Urayai Taruona.
He was found in possession of one piece of a suspected diamond in his hand.
Mr Joma said the journalist was subsequently arrested and the suspected diamond was taken to the Minerals Unit in Mutare.
Online Reporter