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2 men arrested with gun at Mnangagwa's Beitbridge Event
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Two men were arrested after being found with a firearm at a function presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Beitbridge on Monday this week.
Alexander Simbarashe Mutendera (40) and Emmanuel Nyamarebvu (50), employed by the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) as chief finance officer and driver, respectively, were remanded to March 19 for trial on US$100 bail each.
They were charged with possession of a firearm without a licence.
Their lawyer, Jabulani Mberesi of Tavenhave and Machingauta, stated that the two were pleading not guilty and would argue that the alleged firearm was a blank pistol used to scare away animals at a farm.
Beitbridge resident magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba, in granting bail, noted that the State failed to present reasonable grounds for denying bail.
The magistrate also ordered the release of a car belonging to the duo's employer after Mberesi argued that the vehicle was unrelated to the alleged offence and its continued impoundment would hinder company operations.
Mberesi further argued that the likelihood of a conviction was minimal given that the firearm in question was not a real gun.
On February 24 this year, the two attended the ground-breaking function officiated by Mnangagwa at the Xintai Palm River Metallurgical and Energy Industrial Park in Beitbridge.
At the security checkpoint, the firearm - a Blow F92 pistol without a serial number - was discovered under the driver's front seat, leading to the duo's arrest.
Prosecutor Tawanda Chigavazira did not oppose the release of the car, acknowledging that it belonged to the employer rather than Mutendera and Nyamarebvu. However, he requested a long remand period, citing that the Ballistics Section requires extended time to test and verify firearms.
Further updates on the trial and investigation findings are expected in the coming weeks.
Alexander Simbarashe Mutendera (40) and Emmanuel Nyamarebvu (50), employed by the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) as chief finance officer and driver, respectively, were remanded to March 19 for trial on US$100 bail each.
They were charged with possession of a firearm without a licence.
Their lawyer, Jabulani Mberesi of Tavenhave and Machingauta, stated that the two were pleading not guilty and would argue that the alleged firearm was a blank pistol used to scare away animals at a farm.
Beitbridge resident magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba, in granting bail, noted that the State failed to present reasonable grounds for denying bail.
Mberesi further argued that the likelihood of a conviction was minimal given that the firearm in question was not a real gun.
On February 24 this year, the two attended the ground-breaking function officiated by Mnangagwa at the Xintai Palm River Metallurgical and Energy Industrial Park in Beitbridge.
At the security checkpoint, the firearm - a Blow F92 pistol without a serial number - was discovered under the driver's front seat, leading to the duo's arrest.
Prosecutor Tawanda Chigavazira did not oppose the release of the car, acknowledging that it belonged to the employer rather than Mutendera and Nyamarebvu. However, he requested a long remand period, citing that the Ballistics Section requires extended time to test and verify firearms.
Further updates on the trial and investigation findings are expected in the coming weeks.
Source - newsday
