adminSIX former Mbada Diamonds employees who were at the centre of a $3 million diamonds case for allegedly supplying several carats of the precious gems they stole from their employer to an Indian businessman in Mutare, Mudassar Khan, in return for vehicles, have finally received their cars which had been impounded by the police last year.
The six – Simbarashe Gondo (sorter), Hardlife Kuudzehwe (dozer operator), Temba Mvalo (dozer operator), Talkmore Chigeza (sorter), Innocent Tsindi (power screen operator) and Alexander Daru (sorter) – were cleared by the courts but were having difficulties to get their cars back.
They have received the impounded vehicles following a successful High Court application.
In April last year, they sued the Minister of Home Affairs, Cde Kembo Mohadi, and Commissioner-General of Police, Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri for $2 million.
Through their lawyer, Mr Trust Maanda of Maunga Maanda and Associates, they approached the High Court seeking the return of their vehicles which they alleged were unlawfully seized from them. They denied ever stealing the diamonds.
They also argued that they implicated Indian Khan as the source of their vehicles under duress.
Gondo, Kuudzehwe, Chigeza and Mwalo sued for $500 000 each, while Gwazaza and Tsindi sued for $100 000 and $50 000 respectively.
Police alleged that the six were bought vehicles by Khan after selling him diamonds they allegedly stole from their employer at Chiadzwa.
They sought a High Court order for the return of their vehicles which they argued were unlawfully seized.
The vehicles which were returned recently included a Mercedes- Benz Sprinter, Honda Fit, Nissan March, Toyota Dyna, Toyota Granvia, Mercedes-Benz E Class, Toyota Hilux and a Lexus S200.
Online Reporter