Man fined US$250 for illegal possession of gold

A 39-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man who was found in unlawful possession of 8,43 grammes of gold worth US$1,093 has been fined US$250.

Ocean Mpofu of Cowdray Park suburb was convicted of unlawful possession of gold by Western Commonage magistrate Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube.

He was given until July 17 to pay the fine, failure of which he will serve nine months in prison.
Prosecuting, Ms Cathrine Kuzu told the court that on June 9 at around 11.30 AM, detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Bulawayo received information that Mpofu was in possession of gold.
The detectives proceeded to his place of residence, where they introduced themselves and explained the purpose of their visit before demanding to search him.

“The accused person consented to the search and was found in possession of 8,43 grammes of smelted gold stashed in his right trouser pocket,” said Ms Kuzu.
Mpofu was asked to produce a licence or permit authorising him to possess or deal in gold, but failed to do so, leading to his arrest.

The recovered smelted gold was later taken to the Zimbabwe School of Mines’ Mining Development’s Metallurgy Department in Bulawayo for assay.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, a 24-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for assaulting his neighbour with a brick following a misunderstanding.
Michael Mureri of Pumula Old suburb was convicted of assault by Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Pasipanodya Maturure.

He will serve an effective 26 months in prison after six months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period.
At the commencement of the trial, Mureri had been charged with attempted murder. However, he was acquitted of that charge and convicted of assault instead.

Prosecuting, Ms Christina Manyika told the court that on April 18 at around 11 PM at Pumula Old Shops, Mureri had a misunderstanding with Mr Ian Zulu (27).
The altercation escalated and Mureri struck Mr Zulu once on the head with a brick.
The complainant was referred to hospital for treatment and a report was subsequently made to the police, leading to Mureri’s arrest.