Four arrested over stolen diamonds

By Abel Zhakata in Mutare

Four workers with Marange Resources in Chiadzwa have been arrested by the police on allegations of stealing several pieces of diamonds from the diamond mining plant.

The employees – Rowen Mzombi (25), Lordmajor Gavhumende (29), Kennias Mucheteni (31) and Ezekiel Maimbodei (42) – appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mrs Anniah Ndiraya facing theft charges.

Mrs Tinashe Magwagwa is appearing for the State, while Mr Farai Matinhure of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Parctitioners is representing the suspects.

Mrs Mugwagwa told the court that the theft occurred on March 30, 2014.

“The complainant in this theft case is Marange Reources diamond mine represented by Mazhara Tavaziva. On March 31, 2014, Mazhara who is the senior security officer received information of theft of diamonds from the glove box sort house area 300.

“A review of the CCTV footage the same day showed that on March 30, the previous day, Mzombi and Mucheteni who are sorters at the diamond mine stopped sorting diamonds in the presence of Gavhumende who is a security personnel. Mzombi inserted a latex glove into the glove box and selected some pieces of diamonds and put them into the latex glove. He tied it.”

Mrs Magwagwa said Mzombi then put the latex glove which contained the stolen diamonds in the conveyor belt and Mucheteni then rushed to the discharge chute to intercept the parcel.

“He lifted the tailing cage, picked the loot and stashed it in his undergarments. This was all done with the security officer looking on. Mazhara then alerted Detective Constable Chipendo who then arrested the four accused persons. After some interviews Mucheteni admitted that they had connived with Maimbodei who is a CCTV camera monitor to steal some diamonds. He also reviewed that the stolen loot was at his place of residence.

“They proceeded to Mucheteni’s place of residence where upon arrival he took a blue jacket from his bag and took a latex glove which contained some pieces of diamonds which he then handed over to the detective. He opened the glove and found seven pieces of diamonds. Further searches were carried out which led to the recovery of $12 150 from Mzombi and $1 245 from Mucheteni,” she said.

Mrs Ndiraya granted them $100 bail each.

The case goes for trail on April 30. Manica Post