The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata Senior Reporter
A DIRECTOR with Smart Express buses was last week arrested by detectives from the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Chiadzwa, Marange after he was found in possession of 11 pieces of diamonds.
Apart from unlawfully possessing the precious stones, Charles Makosi (37) of House Number 13 Longmore Crescent, Palmerstone is facing a kidnapping charge after he allegedly sped off with one of the detectives who got into his car during the arrest.
However, Makosi’s lawyer, Mr Victor Chinzamba of Mugadza and Chinzamba Legal Practitioners said the detectives picked the diamonds from somewhere and planted them on his client.
He accused the detectives of corruption.
Makosi, who is out on $200 bail with reporting conditions, appeared before Mr Lazarus Murendo last Saturday for contravening Section 3 (1) of the Precious Stones Trade Act Chapter 21:06 and Section 93 (1)(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 09: 23.
Public prosecutor Mr Nyasha Mukonyora told the court that the suspect was arrested on February 28 at Tenda Business Centre in Chiadzwa.
“On the day in question at around 5.30pm, Detective Assistant Inspector Dliwe Mpofu received information to the effect that the accused person was in illegal possession of diamonds at the business centre driving an Isuzu smart cab (ADL 5258). Det Ass Insp Mpofu teamed up with sergeants Elliot Muchariona, Isheunesu Magune and constable Collen Chidhakwa and made investigations.
“The police detectives managed to intercept the accused who was seated in his vehicle with another accomplice, Pedzisai Kurehwatira, who ran away.
Charles Makosi
“The cops introduced themselves to the suspect by showing him their identity cards and advised them of their mission. Kurehwatira tried to open the vehicle’s door in a bid to run away but he was intercepted by Ass Insp Mpofu who quickly got into the vehicle as well.
“When this was happening the accused person took a plastic sachet which was in the vehicle’s glove box and threw it outside. He then drove off at high speed and only stopped after about 50 metres. Sgt Magune picked the sachet which contained 11 pieces of diamonds,” said Mr Mukonyora.
The court heard that the suspect failed to produce a permit which allows him to possess diamonds. The recovered diamonds were taken to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe for assessment.
Makosi is accused of kidnapping Ass Insp Mpofu after he drove off with him despite being ordered to stop his vehicle. He thus deprived the cop of his freedom to bodily movement.
Mr Chinzamba said the charges were cooked up.
“These cops picked up the stones from somewhere and gave them to my client and they are now saying they are his. Come on, this is a joke,” he said.
