News / National
No bail for bullet transporters
08 Jul 2016 at 06:58hrs | Views
FOUR omalayitsha from Bulawayo who were arrested at Beitbridge Border Post recently for allegedly trying to smuggle bullets worth R42,855 from South Africa were yesterday denied bail.
Njabulo Nxumalo (31) of Mpopoma suburb, Nkosana Bhekinkosi Makuyana (30), Mthabisi Ncube (23) and Francis Ncube (32) all of Pumula suburb were arrested while travelling in a South African registered (CF52LRGP) Toyota Quantum as they were about to leave the border post.
It is understood the ammunition belonged to a Mr Clive Connelly of Tongogara Street in Bulawayo.
The four, who are being represented by Mr Zibusiso Ncube of Ncube and Partners, had their bail application dismissed by Beitbridge resident magistrate, Ms Gloria Takundwa, on the basis that the lower court had no jurisdiction to decide on bail in such matters.
The magistrate said according to the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, bail applications in smuggling of ammunition cases should be heard at the High Court.
She further remanded the four in custody to July 20.
For the state, Mr Lloyd Mupfungidza said on June 23, the four arrived in the country from South Africa through Beitbridge border post using a Toyota Quantum (SA Reg CF52LRGP).
The vehicle was being driven by Nxumalo.
While at the border post, the suspects allegedly went through immigration formalities and later declared to Zimra that they were carrying bicycle spares.
They managed to hoodwink Zimra officials who let them pass through the search bay.
They ran out of luck when alert security officials stopped them as they made their way out of the border post area.
Several boxes containing an assortment of bullet cartridges weighing 130 kg which were concealed under other goods were discovered after a search.
The contraband had a cumulative value of R42, 855 and the State stood to lose $1,437.74 in revenue.
The gang was subsequently arrested.
The smuggling of firearms from South Africa into the country has of late become rampant.
Recently, a 48-year-old businessman from Ruwa was fined $2,000 for smuggling 2,417 bullets from South Africa into the country through Beitbridge border post.
Njabulo Nxumalo (31) of Mpopoma suburb, Nkosana Bhekinkosi Makuyana (30), Mthabisi Ncube (23) and Francis Ncube (32) all of Pumula suburb were arrested while travelling in a South African registered (CF52LRGP) Toyota Quantum as they were about to leave the border post.
It is understood the ammunition belonged to a Mr Clive Connelly of Tongogara Street in Bulawayo.
The four, who are being represented by Mr Zibusiso Ncube of Ncube and Partners, had their bail application dismissed by Beitbridge resident magistrate, Ms Gloria Takundwa, on the basis that the lower court had no jurisdiction to decide on bail in such matters.
The magistrate said according to the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, bail applications in smuggling of ammunition cases should be heard at the High Court.
She further remanded the four in custody to July 20.
For the state, Mr Lloyd Mupfungidza said on June 23, the four arrived in the country from South Africa through Beitbridge border post using a Toyota Quantum (SA Reg CF52LRGP).
The vehicle was being driven by Nxumalo.
They managed to hoodwink Zimra officials who let them pass through the search bay.
They ran out of luck when alert security officials stopped them as they made their way out of the border post area.
Several boxes containing an assortment of bullet cartridges weighing 130 kg which were concealed under other goods were discovered after a search.
The contraband had a cumulative value of R42, 855 and the State stood to lose $1,437.74 in revenue.
The gang was subsequently arrested.
The smuggling of firearms from South Africa into the country has of late become rampant.
Recently, a 48-year-old businessman from Ruwa was fined $2,000 for smuggling 2,417 bullets from South Africa into the country through Beitbridge border post.
Source - chronicle
