33 000 bullets stolen from Zimbabwe armoury

The 33 216 rounds of ammunition for different rifles and pistols recently found in possession of a Chinese national were stolen from the Zimbabwe Republic Police's national armoury, raising fears of breaches in State security, the court heard yesterday.

This came out when former Detective Assistant Inspector Ananias Machingura (40), Detective Constable Vengesai Hakunandaba (47) and Assistant Inspector Brian Marufu (39) appeared before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe facing charges of stealing the ammunition.

They were all remanded in custody to today for continuation of bail application, while their two other accomplices were still at large.

The Chinese man, Woncai Huo (51), who is facing charges of contravening various sections of the Firearms Act, the Gold Trade Act and the Parks and Wildlife Act, was recently granted $2 000 bail.