CIO Operative Nabbed Over Gold Smuggling
Patience Nhamburo
A member of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), Chamakandiwona Nyahunda alias Vincent Moyo, has been arrested in connection with the 11-Million-Rand worth of gold which was intercepted at OR Tambo international airport in South Africa last week.
Nyahunda who is stationed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport allegedly assisted Tashinga Nyasha Masinire in smuggling the gold.
He appeared in court today facing two counts of Smuggling and Criminal abuse of office as a public officer.
Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi remanded Nyahunda to tomorrow for his bail application.
The court heard that on the 8th of May this year, Nyahunda was on duty at the Robert Mugabe International Airport, attached to the Aviation Ground Services.
It is alleged that he entered the Departure terminal wearing a jacket and trousers whose pockets were visibly laden with heavy objects.
Instead of going through the authorized entry route Nyahunda is said to have avoided the scans and metal detectors fixed at the strategic points and proceeded through the Arrival terminal which is not allowed to be used at all when getting into the airport.
Masinire is said to have arrived at the airport driving a Ford Ranger Double Cab. He got out of the vehicle and an unidentified passenger that he had brought with him, took charge of the vehicle and drove off the airport.
The court was further told that Masinire, who was carrying a visibly light bag, went through the clearance procedures.
It is further alleged that Masinire then went into the smoking room where Nyahunda joined him.
Masinire later got out of the smoking room with his bag now heavy, such that at the point of boarding the flight, he used both hands to lift it up.
He was arrested by South Africa Police on the same date upon arrival at O.R Tambo International Airport for possession of 23 pieces of gold without an export permit.
Investigations were done at Robert Mugabe International Airport leading to the arrest of the accused.
