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Zvikomborero Parafini
NEVILLE Mutsvangwa is expected back in court today for the continuation of his bail application after he spent the weekend in remand prison.
Alongside Ellis Majachani and Simbarashe Tichingana, Mutsvangwa is being accused of money laundering and trading in foreign currency.
Additionally, he is also being charged with violating the Telecommunications Act.
The trio appeared before Harare magistrate, Dennis Mangosi, on Friday who postponed the matter to today due to time constraints.
On their initial appearance, prosecutor Thomas Chanakira opposed bail arguing that the three were facing serious offences, including money laundering, which the law, upon conviction, stipulates a heavy fine and potential imprisonment or both.
He said Mutsvangwa was a flight risk as he demonstrated propensity to flee when the police raided his home.
Chanakira told the court that the police were denied entry and ended up having to apply force to enter the premises.
They searched for Mutsvangwa, who they claim was later found hiding in between a precast wall and a pile of sacks, in the backyard.
The State argued that he was hiding from the police and this showed his unwillingness to stand trial and it may be prejudicial to the State’s case if he is to be granted bail.
The State is alleging that during the period, extending from the 1st of January 2019 to the 8th of May 2024, the trio formed Mumba Money Transfer services, without a licence, in violation of the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act and Exchange Control Act.
They advertised on the internet directing clients to their offices in Harare.
The trio allegedly employed a combination of electronic funds transfers and physical cash for their unlawful transactions, leveraging foreign bank accounts to obfuscate their activities.
The police recovered four smartphones, 45 sim cards, four computers, one Point Of Sale (POS) machine, 28 debit cards (including 15 VISA cards issued by foreign banks), three money counters and a register of transactions and US$3 890 cash.
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