(Last Updated on February 19, 2016 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Four Harare International Airport employees, three police officers and a national army intelligence officer were yesterday taken to court facing allegations of attempting to smuggle 26 bags of unknown items weighing 280 kilograms from Dubai into the country.
Onismo Mukau, Tichaona Makurumure, Thando Ndlovu, Abineri Mangere, who works in the department of National Handling Services at the Harare Airport appeared at the Harare magistrates’ court for contravening the Customs and Exercise Act.
Gotora Tinarwo, Leonard Mhukayesango, Simon Chida and Gabriel Mutasa were also charged with criminal abuse of office after they were allegedly involved in the attempt to smuggle the sacks.
Tinarwo was employed at the Army Headquarters in the intelligence department whilst Mutasa and Mhukayesango were stationed at ZRP Airport.
Chida is said to be stationed at ZRP Romeo Troop Support Unit.
Circumstances leading to their arrest are that on February 13 at around 3am they were spotted on the CCTV as they were facilitating smuggling of the 26 bags which arrived in KQ 720 airplane.
It is said that they were trying to smuggle the bags with unknown object through the V.I.P Entrance.
Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa heard that the eight told the security that the bags belonged to an unnamed ‘V.I.P’.
Their actions were said to be in contrary to their respective duties.
Magistrate Mugwagwa remanded the eight out of custody to March 17 on US$100 bail each.
Sebastian Mutizirwa prosecuted.