News / National
Chinese national jailed 10 yrs in Zimbabwe
25 Nov 2015 at 05:36hrs | Views
A Chinese national, Li Chengping (57) has been jailed for an effective 10 years in prison for illegally possessing gold and emerald.
Chengping was arrested at Harare International Airport on November 17 this year while on his way to China in possession of 2,94 grammes of gold valued at $105,70 and three pieces of emeralds valued at $240,70 without being a holder of a licence or permit which allows him to deal in the minerals.
Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe said he applied his mind to the law and the circumstances of the convict.
"After taking into consideration all the factors, for possession of gold, you are sentenced to five years in prison, and for the second count of emeralds possession, you are sentenced to another five years. This effectively makes them 10 years in prison," Mahwe said.
"I take that you broke the law while being aware of what it says about minerals since you are involved in mining at Zvishavane."
Breach of the Minerals Act attracts a custodial sentence within the statute.
Chengping was arrested at Harare International Airport on November 17 this year while on his way to China in possession of 2,94 grammes of gold valued at $105,70 and three pieces of emeralds valued at $240,70 without being a holder of a licence or permit which allows him to deal in the minerals.
Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe said he applied his mind to the law and the circumstances of the convict.
"I take that you broke the law while being aware of what it says about minerals since you are involved in mining at Zvishavane."
Breach of the Minerals Act attracts a custodial sentence within the statute.
Source - NewsDay
