A 28-year-old man from Bulawayo’s Hillside suburb has appeared before the court after he was found in possession of gold worth over US$125 000.
The court heard that detectives pounced on Talent Mumpande at a house in Killarney suburb where he was keeping the gold in a safe.
Mumpande pleaded not guilty to a charge of possessing gold without a permit.
Through his lawyer Lawrence Chikwakwa from Sansole, Senda and Partners, Mumpande submitted a bail application.
Bulawayo magistrate Shepherd Mjanja remanded him in custody to Friday for bail ruling.
According to state`s case as presented by Terrence Chakabuda, on June 15 at around 12:40 PM, five detectives went to conduct a search at Mumpande’s home.
“Detective Assistant Inspector Ndlovu, Detective Sergeant Maramwidze, Detective Sergeant Jonhera, Detective Sergeant Chiripano and Detective Constable Chagweda all stationed at CID Minerals Flaura and Fauna Unit crack team based in Harare, received information that Mumpande was dealing with gold at a house in Killarney,” the prosecutor said.
The detectives proceeded to the given address and introduced themselves to Mumpande and told him they wanted to carry out a search for gold.
“Mumpande led the police into the house to conduct their search, they looked into the dining room first. They then proceeded into the bedroom where they asked him to open a safe which was mounted therein.”
The State further alleged that Mumpande opened the safe and Det Sgnt Maramwidze recovered a neatly wrapped plastic bag which contained 78 buttons of smelted gold which weighed 2,78kilograms with a value of US$125 477, 10.
“Mumpande was asked to produce a license authorising him to possess the gold but he produced an expired permit, leading to his arrest.”
