News / Local
Mutsvangwa's son to spend second weekend in custody
18 May 2024 at 11:35hrs | Views
Christopher Mutsvangwa's son Neville will remain in remand prison for another weekend as the High Court has reserved judgment on his bail appeal. Mutsvangwa faces three charges of illegal foreign currency dealings and one charge of possessing an unlicensed Starlink router.
Initially denied bail by Harare magistrate Mr. Denis Mangosi, Mutsvangwa and his two accomplices were remanded in custody until May 30. Mutsvangwa appealed this decision, and his legal counsel, Ms. Josephine Sande, took the case to the High Court. Justice Esther Muremba heard the appeal and reserved judgment until Wednesday next week.
Ms. Sande argued that the prosecution has no substantial case against Mutsvangwa and his co-accused, Elias Majachani and Simbarashe Tichingana. She contended that the remand court erred in denying bail, basing its decision on the possession of Visa cards found at Mutsvangwa's Mount Pleasant home. Ms. Sande maintained that owning Visa cards is not a crime and does not indicate involvement in illegal currency dealings or money laundering.
Magistrate Mangosi denied bail on the grounds that Mutsvangwa and his co-accused might abscond. He cited the overwhelming evidence police found, including that Mutsvangwa's company, Mumba Money Transfer, was an unregistered entity dealing in foreign currency. The police also faced difficulties arresting Mutsvangwa, who initially denied them entry to his home. When police cut the electric fence and climbed over the gate, they found him hiding between a precast wall and a pile of sacks containing waste.
Magistrate Mangosi also noted that Mutsvangwa has connections and could potentially sustain himself outside the country, making him a flight risk. During a raid on the Mumba Money Transfer office in the city center, police found US$3,890 in cash, computers, a transaction register, and over 20 Visa cards.
The State opposed bail, citing the serious nature of the charges, particularly money laundering.
Initially denied bail by Harare magistrate Mr. Denis Mangosi, Mutsvangwa and his two accomplices were remanded in custody until May 30. Mutsvangwa appealed this decision, and his legal counsel, Ms. Josephine Sande, took the case to the High Court. Justice Esther Muremba heard the appeal and reserved judgment until Wednesday next week.
Ms. Sande argued that the prosecution has no substantial case against Mutsvangwa and his co-accused, Elias Majachani and Simbarashe Tichingana. She contended that the remand court erred in denying bail, basing its decision on the possession of Visa cards found at Mutsvangwa's Mount Pleasant home. Ms. Sande maintained that owning Visa cards is not a crime and does not indicate involvement in illegal currency dealings or money laundering.
Magistrate Mangosi denied bail on the grounds that Mutsvangwa and his co-accused might abscond. He cited the overwhelming evidence police found, including that Mutsvangwa's company, Mumba Money Transfer, was an unregistered entity dealing in foreign currency. The police also faced difficulties arresting Mutsvangwa, who initially denied them entry to his home. When police cut the electric fence and climbed over the gate, they found him hiding between a precast wall and a pile of sacks containing waste.
Magistrate Mangosi also noted that Mutsvangwa has connections and could potentially sustain himself outside the country, making him a flight risk. During a raid on the Mumba Money Transfer office in the city center, police found US$3,890 in cash, computers, a transaction register, and over 20 Visa cards.
The State opposed bail, citing the serious nature of the charges, particularly money laundering.
Source - The Herald
