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Zvikomborero Parafini
THE State has withdrawn gun smuggling charges against a Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI) employee.
Leonard Matambo appeared before Harare regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei yesterday and prosecutor Anesu Chirenje withdrew the matter before plea saying the State doesn’t have enough evidence to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Matambo was accused of attempting to facilitate the entry of highly mechanised guns, 31 AK47 rifles and 62 magazines into the country through Beitbridge Border Post.
He was being charged with conspiracy to smuggle and conspiracy to possession of dangerous weapons or alternatively violating the Firearms Act.
The State said that he had written a letter to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) instructing them to release the weapons without his employer’s authority.
The weapons were found in possession of one Gugulethu Mabhena, who was allegedly tasked with driving to Harare with them.
Mabhena was arrested in connection with the same weapons and appeared before a Beitbridge magistrate.
Police investigations established that Mabhena had brought the consignment into the country from South Africa without a Firearms Import Permit.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge