Rushwaya tried to smuggle first class Gold: State

Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president Henrietta Rushwaya’s woes continue to mount after the state accused her of being in possession of first-class gold which is legally supposed to be handled by Fidelity Printers.

Rushwaya was recently caught trying to smuggle 6 kilogrammes of gold to Dubai via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

She was initially charged with contravening the Customs Act.

It has been revealed that the former ZIFA CEO had 6KG of 99.99% refined gold.

While speaking on the proceedings of the case on Monday Prosecutor Mr Garudzo Ziyaduma said that the accused was not in a position to hold such kind of gold which only gold Refinery Company, Fidelity Printers should be in possession of.

“Rushwaya as the president of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation would not have been in possession of 99.99% refined gold but she had it. “

“This type of gold can only be possessed by the Fidelity gold refiners,” said Ziyaduma.

She is jointly appearing at the Harare Magistrates Court with her accomplices Mohamed, Stephen Chenjerai Tserai, Raphios Mufandauya and Gift Karanda on smuggling, illegal possession of gold, criminal abuse of office and defeating the course of justice.

The offence attracts a minimum of five-year jail term.

“The offence under the Gold Trade Act has a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and it cannot be taken as a short time in prison.”

Following her arrest on Monday at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport the State initially consented to grant her bail on Tuesday but reverted after various details emerged.

“There are other accomplices linked to them that are yet to be accounted for. We are looking at a broad syndicate in this case.”

“This is a relevant factor in the determination of bail,” said the Prosecutor.