MARTIN MAWAYA
Gweru Magistrate Arnold Maburo has sentenced three men from Bulawayo to 10 years in prison each for the theft of gold valued at $62,000.
Lovemore Munetsi of Z47 Mzlikazi, Bulawayo, Person Charles Kutsanzira of R20 Mzlikazi, Bulawayo and Terrence Ngwenya who resides at U42 Mzlikazi, Bulawayo, were convicted after a full trial.
However, each will serve an effective jail term of four years, as Magistrate Maburo suspended three years for good behavior and another three years on condition that they each restitute Mond Zuva Pvt Ltd $20,666.
During the closing submission before the conviction, state prosecutor Vivian Chindedza argued that the accused were “intertwined in the same chain of events,” indicating a coordinated criminal venture.
“No evidence has been put forward for any fabrication to fix the accused persons, save for their own speculative utterances,” Chindedza stated.
“The accused are clearly guilty and are only evading responsibility.”
The court heard that on March 14, 2024, Wilbert Matsheza, acting on behalf of Mond Zuva Pvt Ltd, went to Fidelity Printers situated at ZB Bank in Shurugwi and deposited gold worth $36,846, paid in cash and placed it in a black satchel bag that already contained $6,000.
Matsheza then drove to Vital Lounge in Shurugwi, where he received an additional 438 grams of smelted gold from Proud Marasha and placed it in the same satchel.
After the transaction, Matsheza left the vehicle to buy food.
During this time, the court heard that the three accused persons smashed the car’s window, stole the satchel bag containing the money and gold, and fled for Bulawayo via the Zvishavane-Mbalabala road.
Matsheza discovered the break in upon returning to his vehicle and reported the incident to the police.
Investigations ensued and the collected fingerprints from the scene matched those of the accused persons.
The three were arrested on March 24, 2024, in Bulawayo, where police also traced the sale of 428 grams of smelted gold to Olaah Gold Buying Company.
