Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
SUSPECTED drug lord Robin Kudakwashe Tiba and his five accomplices have appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court after they were arrested in possession of 16 bales of dagga valued at US$20 986.
Tonderai Rusikira (29), Takunda Rusikira (26), Tungamirai Mavindidze (40), Robbin Kudakwashe Tiba (27), Leonard Takura (44), and Barnwell Chilimba (40) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Ignatious Mhene.
The matter was being handled at the Mbare Magistrates’ Court, where the trial had kicked off, but it was referred to the Harare Magistrates’ Court for a restart.
It is the State’s case that on October 27 2025, detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics National Crack Team received information to the effect that the Rusikira brothers and Mavindidze were dealing in dangerous drugs at Western Truck Transport workshop, Beitbridge.
It is alleged that on October 28 2025, detectives teamed up and proceeded to the Western Truck Transport workshop, Beitbridge and carried out surveillance.
The detectives then observed Tonderai driving a white Iveco, registration numbers AEG 1792, into the workshop, in the company of Takunda and parked it close to Mavindidze’s haulage truck.
Tonderai and Takunda disembarked from their vehicle and met with Mavindidze and they offloaded the contraband together and started physically inspecting it.
The detectives then approached the three accused persons whilst they were still physically inspecting the contraband and introduced themselves by producing their police identity cards and informed the accused persons of the purpose of their visit.
A physical inspection was done on the 16 bales wrapped in black plastic with the three accused persons’ consent, and the police detectives discovered that it was dagga.
The three accused persons were subsequently arrested and escorted to CID Drugs and Narcotics Beitbridge, where an Exhibits Seizure Confirmation Receipt (ZRP Form 390) serial number 0143411 in respect of the seized Iveco and the dangerous drugs [dagga] was issued.
The three accused persons were interviewed and they indicated that they were part of a drug trafficking syndicate and they implicated Tiba, who they said was waiting to receive the contraband in Harare.
The detectives escorted the Rusikira brother and Mavindidze to Harare together with the seized dagga for a controlled delivery led by Mavindidze.
Upon arrival at the Aspindale truck stop in Harare on October 29, 2025, Mavindidze communicated with Tiba through his cell phone and informed him that he had arrived with the dagga.
While the detectives were on surveillance, they observed Takura arriving, driving a white Nissan Ad Van registration number AGS 7865 with Tiba on board.
The court heard that Mavindidze went to reverse the motor vehicle close to the dagga.
Tiba and Mavindidze alighted from the motor vehicle, prompting Mavindidze to swiftly open the car boot.
Chilimba, who was alone driving a Toyota Sienta taxi, arrived simultaneously and he also parked close to the contraband, alighted and swiftly opened the car boot.
All six accused persons met and went on to physically inspect the dagga before loading it into their motor vehicles.
The six accused persons took custody of the dagga and began to load it swiftly into the white Nissan Ad Van. While in the process, police detectives who were on surveillance pounced on them.
Tiba, Takura and Chilimba were subsequently arrested with their co-accused, that is, the Rusikira brothers and Mavindidze and escorted to CID Drugs and Narcotics Harare together with the recovered 16 bales of dagga, where Exhibits Seizure Confirmation Receipt(s) [ZRP Form 390) serial number(s) 0197001, 0197002, 0197003, 0197004 and 0197005 were issued in respect of the white Nissan Ad Van and cellphones belonging to the accused persons.
The dagga has a street value of US$ 20 986.
The accused persons had no right whatsoever to deal in the dangerous drugs.
