us$67 000 gold found

Beitbridge Bureau
A South African man yesterday pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to smuggle 1,6 kg of gold worth US$67 000 into that country through the Beitbridge Border Post.
Humbulani Nemanashe (33) admitted to breaching Gold Trade and Customs and Excise Acts when he appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Ms Gloria Takundwa.

He was remanded in custody for sentencing today. Nemanashe was arrested on Tuesday by detectives from the police Border Control and Minerals Unit following a tip-off.

Nemanashe arrived at Beitbridge Border Post en-route to South Africa, unbeknown to him some detectives were already waiting for him.
He went about all the customs and immigration and customs formalities under the surveillance of police detectives. He did not declare the gold to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and headed for the exit gate where he was intercepted by the detectives who were closely monitoring his movements.

A search was conducted on his person and luggage leading to the discovery of five buttons of gold which he had wrapped in a black stocking and tied on his right leg using a knee guard.

He was asked to produce a permit authorising him to possess or export gold but he failed.
Nemanashe was then arrested and the gold was subsequently seized by the police. The gold pieces weighed 1,682 kg.