News / Local
Injiva to be extradited to SA for stealing R4m meant for ATMs
08 Jul 2013 at 06:03hrs | Views
A BULAWAYO court has granted the application for extradition of a Zimbabwean man who four years ago allegedly disappeared with more than R4 million meant for Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in South Africa.
Jethro Menzi Tshuma (41), of Pine Road, Lockview in Bulawayo was employed by a South African security company, SBV Services as a driver responsible for transporting cash to designated ATMs and was using the name Jerrote Menzi Khumalo.
Tshuma was arrested by Interpol in Nyamandlovu in January this year after evading police for four years and South African Police Service (SAPS) then applied for his extradition.
His lawyer, Mr Godfrey Nyoni opposed the extradition arguing that his client's safety was not guaranteed basing on the fact that the SAPS seemed not much involved in the case.
Tshuma's extradition was initially ordered by Lupane magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba but his lawyers challenged it.
Bulawayo magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere ruled on Friday that Tshuma should be handed over to South African authorities after all the paperwork has been done.
He said the State, led by Mr Jeremaih Mutsindikwa, had proved that there was a prima facie case against Tshuma.
"The court is satisfied that Jethro Tshuma is the person named in the warrant and that extradition is not prohibited in terms of the Extradition Act. The State has a prima facie case and I hereby grant the application for extradition to stand trial in South Africa," ruled Mr Mberewere.
Tshuma denied the allegations levelled against him saying it was a case of mistaken identity.
His lawyer argued that his extradition would expose him to torture by private investigators who seemed to have taken over the case from SAPS.
On his arrest in January, Tshuma was found in possession of two Identity Cards and passports, one for Zimbabwe and the other South African.
He was convicted on his own plea of guilty under the Citizen Act and Dual Registration Act at the Lupane magistrates' Court early this year and fined $200 for each offence.
It is alleged that on 30 April 2009, Tshuma was on duty driving an armoured vehicle in the company of two others, Mr Michael Alton Booysen and Mr Siphiwe Cyril Nsele. They were supposed to transport 4.656 million rand to First National Bank branches.
The court heard that Mr Nsele had gone to the warehouse and Tshuma insisted to Mr Booysen that they collect the cash from the cash office in his absence.
He allegedly sent Mr Booysen to go and look for Mr Nsele and remained with 22 sealed canvas bags containing cash.
The court was told that Tshuma allegedly drove off leaving his two colleagues behind and the vehicle was found dumped about three kilometers away from the cash office.
Investigations showed that he had been seen leaving his house in a hurry in company of his wife Cathrine Kuwane, who was also allegedly using several other names such as Tsepo, MaMguni and Hlatshwayo and their two minor children.
Tshuma and his wife reportedly operated businesses at Tsholotsho and Lupane business centres.
He was arrested after Interpol traced him to his plot in Nyamandlovu.
Jethro Menzi Tshuma (41), of Pine Road, Lockview in Bulawayo was employed by a South African security company, SBV Services as a driver responsible for transporting cash to designated ATMs and was using the name Jerrote Menzi Khumalo.
Tshuma was arrested by Interpol in Nyamandlovu in January this year after evading police for four years and South African Police Service (SAPS) then applied for his extradition.
His lawyer, Mr Godfrey Nyoni opposed the extradition arguing that his client's safety was not guaranteed basing on the fact that the SAPS seemed not much involved in the case.
Tshuma's extradition was initially ordered by Lupane magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba but his lawyers challenged it.
Bulawayo magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere ruled on Friday that Tshuma should be handed over to South African authorities after all the paperwork has been done.
He said the State, led by Mr Jeremaih Mutsindikwa, had proved that there was a prima facie case against Tshuma.
"The court is satisfied that Jethro Tshuma is the person named in the warrant and that extradition is not prohibited in terms of the Extradition Act. The State has a prima facie case and I hereby grant the application for extradition to stand trial in South Africa," ruled Mr Mberewere.
Tshuma denied the allegations levelled against him saying it was a case of mistaken identity.
On his arrest in January, Tshuma was found in possession of two Identity Cards and passports, one for Zimbabwe and the other South African.
He was convicted on his own plea of guilty under the Citizen Act and Dual Registration Act at the Lupane magistrates' Court early this year and fined $200 for each offence.
It is alleged that on 30 April 2009, Tshuma was on duty driving an armoured vehicle in the company of two others, Mr Michael Alton Booysen and Mr Siphiwe Cyril Nsele. They were supposed to transport 4.656 million rand to First National Bank branches.
The court heard that Mr Nsele had gone to the warehouse and Tshuma insisted to Mr Booysen that they collect the cash from the cash office in his absence.
He allegedly sent Mr Booysen to go and look for Mr Nsele and remained with 22 sealed canvas bags containing cash.
The court was told that Tshuma allegedly drove off leaving his two colleagues behind and the vehicle was found dumped about three kilometers away from the cash office.
Investigations showed that he had been seen leaving his house in a hurry in company of his wife Cathrine Kuwane, who was also allegedly using several other names such as Tsepo, MaMguni and Hlatshwayo and their two minor children.
Tshuma and his wife reportedly operated businesses at Tsholotsho and Lupane business centres.
He was arrested after Interpol traced him to his plot in Nyamandlovu.
Source - chronicle
