News / National
Henrietta Rushwaya fingered in another gold scandal
10 May 2021 at 22:07hrs | Views
Zimbabwean based Tashinga Nyasha was allegedly arrested at OT Tambo International Airport in South Africa for reportedly possessing 23 pieces of gold worth R11 million ($783 000) on Saturday.
Investigation indicated that Nyasha is a driver of Zimbabwe Miners Federation President Henrietta Rushwaya's who disowned and denied being an accomplice in Masinire's gold smuggling case.
In an audio posted on social media Rushwaya vowed that the accused ceased to be her driver in August last year. Therefore, it was an overzealous endeavour to try and create a link between her and the accused of being partners.
Tashinga Nyasha Masinire is facing charges of contravening the Customs Act 91 of 1964 and Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005 respectively.
Masinire was arrested by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team on Saturday afternoon soon after landing at OR Tambo International Airport.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Kwalase said Masinire was remanded to July 1 for trial.
However, he was granted bail of R100 000 with stringent conditions (not to leave South Africa and to report at nearest SAPS police stations three times per week) and the matter was remanded to the 1st July 2021 for further investigations," he said.
Lt Col Nkwalase said upon arrival at the airport, Masinire was requested to scan his luggage at the international arrivals Customs section of the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
He said these 23 bars of gold were allegedly found on his luggage and it was established that he had not declared his goods and neither did he have a permit to transport the mineral.
"The Hawks were called to effect an arrest and further investigate. The preliminary investigation by the Hawks revealed that the suspect travelled from Harare to Johannesburg, South Africa," said Lt Col Nkwalase.
He said the gold contraband had since been seized.
Rushwaya out on bail , facing allegations of trying to smuggle 6kg of gold at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to Dubai her last year.
She, however, denies the charges and insisting she mistakenly took the wrong handbag from her home.
Investigation indicated that Nyasha is a driver of Zimbabwe Miners Federation President Henrietta Rushwaya's who disowned and denied being an accomplice in Masinire's gold smuggling case.
In an audio posted on social media Rushwaya vowed that the accused ceased to be her driver in August last year. Therefore, it was an overzealous endeavour to try and create a link between her and the accused of being partners.
Tashinga Nyasha Masinire is facing charges of contravening the Customs Act 91 of 1964 and Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005 respectively.
Masinire was arrested by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team on Saturday afternoon soon after landing at OR Tambo International Airport.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Kwalase said Masinire was remanded to July 1 for trial.
However, he was granted bail of R100 000 with stringent conditions (not to leave South Africa and to report at nearest SAPS police stations three times per week) and the matter was remanded to the 1st July 2021 for further investigations," he said.
Lt Col Nkwalase said upon arrival at the airport, Masinire was requested to scan his luggage at the international arrivals Customs section of the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
He said these 23 bars of gold were allegedly found on his luggage and it was established that he had not declared his goods and neither did he have a permit to transport the mineral.
"The Hawks were called to effect an arrest and further investigate. The preliminary investigation by the Hawks revealed that the suspect travelled from Harare to Johannesburg, South Africa," said Lt Col Nkwalase.
He said the gold contraband had since been seized.
Rushwaya out on bail , facing allegations of trying to smuggle 6kg of gold at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to Dubai her last year.
She, however, denies the charges and insisting she mistakenly took the wrong handbag from her home.
Source - Shelton Muchena
