Undermining Mugabe proves costly

A Kadoma man reportedly posed as an operative from the President's Office before 'stealing' gold from Tolrose mine on the pretext he had been sent by President Mugabe.

Blessing Baureni Makiwa (40) allegedly misrepresented to the mine authorities that he had been assigned by the President to investigate them and also to acquire the mine on his behalf.

It is alleged he collected gold from the mine from October 2010 to August last year on the pretext he was delivering it to President Mugabe.

Makiwa of Cleverdon Farm in Kadoma was yesterday brought to court charged with contravening Section 33 (2) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, for allegedly undermining the authority or insulting the President.

He was not formally charged when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.

He was remanded out of custody to August 8 on US$200 bail.

As part of his bail conditions, Makiwa was ordered to report once to the police, not to interfere with witnesses and to reside at his given address until the matter is finalised.

Prosecutor Mr David Magwegwe alleges that between October 2010 and August 2011, Makiwa would go to Tolrose guesthouse alleging that he had been sent by President Mugabe to investigate high profile people.

On a date unknown to the prosecutor, it is alleged Makiwa while at the guest house told his friends that he was assigned to do certain tasks by the President.

He also allegedly told people at the guesthouse that he was President Mugabe's most trusted operative.

Makiwa, the State alleges, further told them that one of his tasks was to acquire Tolrose Mine on behalf of the Head of State and Government and Commander in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

During that period, it is alleged that Makiwa took gold from the mine, which produces an average of 1,5kg of gold per day.

Makiwa misrepresented to the mine authorities that he was collecting the gold on behalf of the President and was delivering it to him.

According to the State, Makiwa knew that his statements were false.

A report was later made to the police leading to Makiwa's arrest.

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