happiness ChikwanhaZvikomborero Parafini
HARARE regional magistrate, Stanford Mambanje, is today expected to make a ruling on whether the matter, involving a retired army Group Captain, should be heard in open court.
The suspect, Leonard Matambo, was back in court yesterday on accusations of conspiring to smuggle 31 AK47 rifles and 62 magazines.
Matambo’s lawyers applied to have the matter heard in camera as he filed his bail bid.
The magistrate said the case was of public interest and he needed more time to apply his mind before making a determination.
He postponed the case to today.
Matambo is being charged with conspiracy to smuggle and conspiracy to possession of dangerous weapons.
Alternatively, he is being charged with violating the Firearms Act.
Matambo’s lawyers brought a letter he claims was written by his boss, at the Zimbabwe Defence Industries, confirming that the guns were being brought into the country legally, contrary to the State’s claims.
Efforts to submit the letter were opposed by prosecutor, Tafara Chirambira, who stated that it was supposed to be tendered by its author.
Charambira stated that Retired Air Commodore Mutizwa, Matambo’s superior, be called to testify on the letter, and go through cross examination, before it was tendered.
That suggestion prompted Matambo’s lawyer to make the application for the matter to be heard in camera.
Chirambira opposed bail on the basis that Matambo is a potential danger to the State once released on bail.
In a letter, Matambo instructed ZIMRA to allow one Gugulethu Mabhena, to enable her to leave the border with the smuggled weapons.
It is the State’s case that between 2019 and August this year, Matambo allegedly conspired with Mabhena, who is from Bulawayo, smuggled into the country a consignment of 31 AK47 automatic firearms and 62 magazines, from South Africa.
On August 29, Mabhena was found in possession of 31 AK 47 rifles and 62 AK47 magazines, in a white Toyota King Cab (4JK36RL GP), at Manica Transit Shed, Beitbridge.
Police investigations established that Mabhena had brought the consignment into the country, from South Africa, without a Firearms Import Permit.
The court heard that after hearing the weapons had been seized by police, Matambo wrote a letter directing the Regional Manager of ZIMRA to allow Mabhena, of Spartan Arms International, to clear the consignment on Report Order, pending submission of relevant clearance documents.
Hclaimed these documents were allegedly being processed by the Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
The firearms, ammunition and the white Toyota King Cab were impounded by the police.
Online Reporter