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THREE suspected illegal diamond dealers were recently hauled before a senior Mutare magistrate on allegations of possessing five pieces of the precious mineral. The trio from Mutare’s Chikanga high-density suburb fell into the trap of detectives from the Minerals Unit who masqueraded as diamond buyers from Harare.
Police had received a tip-off that Romio Charles Tembo (27), Ngoni Mawangu (24) and Philip Chipenzi (29) were in possession of diamonds they wanted to sell.
The undercover detectives then arranged a meeting with the accused on the pretext that they wanted to buy the diamonds.
During the fake deal which went on at a local hotel, Tembo produced the diamonds which were subsequently recovered by the detectives.
They are being charged for breaching Section 3 (1) of Precious Stones Trade Act Chapter 21.06 which criminalises the possession of diamonds without a permit.
The two are denying the charges.
Tembo and Mawangu, who were not represented, told the court that they knew nothing about the allegations being levelled against them while Chipenzi said he was not part of the syndicate.
He said it was mere coincidence that he was arrested as being part of the group.
Mrs Sekai Chiundura granted them $200 bail each. The case goes to trial on October 15, 2014.
Mr Cuthbert Bosha prosecuted.
Online Reporter