adminWeekender Reporter
A SOLDIER from Chitungwiza was last week nabbed with diamond ore in Chiadzwa by police officers manning the vast diamond fields.Fungai Gilbert Mandidewa (51) of House Number 2999, Unit L, Seke Chitungwiza appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi on allegations of contravening Section 1 (1) as read by Section 3 (2) of the Precious Stones and Trade Act which prohibits unlawful dealing or possession of precious stones.
However, Mandidewa pleaded guilty to trespassing into a prohibited area and denied that he was panning in the diamond fields.
It was the State case led by Mr Fletcher Karombe that on March 16 at around midnight, police details who were on patrol at Diamond Mining Company concession spotted a group of panners in the concession.
The panners fled away when they saw the police officers. Upon chasing them, Mandidewa was arrested with a sack of diamond ore weighing 10kgs.
Mandidewa told the court that he had visited the place with no intentions of mining for diamonds.
He failed to give a reasonable answer of why he was in the field at that time and place.
“I admit that I was arrested while in a prohibited place, but I had no intention of mining,” said Mandidewa.
He was fined $100 which is supposed to be paid by April 15, of which failure to do so will see him being jailed for 60 days.
In an unrelated matter, Fungai Innocent Makandi (34), Darlington Chitsa, Anold Mayere (30) and Lovemore Pongorume were also arraigned before the courts facing charges of contravening Section 1 (1) as read by Section 3 (2) of the Precious Stones and Trade Act which prohibits unlawful dealing or possession of precious stones.
The quartet appeared before Mr Mukwengi, while Mr Shepherd Chawarika was representing the State.
Mr Chawarika told the court that on March 9, the quartet was arrested while driving to Harare.
“Makandi was driving with his friends in a Toyota Hilux, Registration Number ADG 5838 when they were stopped by police officers who asked them for particulars that allow the motor vehicle to be in Mbada Diamond Mining Company’s concession. The quartet was taken to the police base for further verification. Upon searching the vehicle they discovered three pieces of diamonds hidden underneath the seats,” said Mr Chawarika.
They were not asked to plead and the matter was adjourned to March 28 for trial after further investigation.
Online Reporter