A 33 year old South African man has been arrested by detectives from the Border Control and Minerals Unit while trying to smuggle 1,6 kg of gold worth $67 000 into his native country through Beitbridge border post.
Humbulani Pascal Nemanashe was intercepted on Tuesday night following a tip off.
Detectives close to the investigations said Nemanashe has been charged for contravening sections of the Gold Trade and Customs and Excise acts respectively.
It is understood that the accused arrived at Beitbridge border post en-route to South Africa, unbeknown to him some police detectives were already waiting for him.
Upon arrival at the border post, the accused went about all the customs and immigration and customs formalities under the surveillance of police detectives.
He however did not declare gold to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and headed for the exit gate where he was then intercepted by the police details who were monitoring his movements.
A search was then conducted on him and luggage leading to the discovery of five buttons of gold which he had wrapped in a black stocking and tied on his right leg using a knee guard.
He was then asked to produce a permit authorising him to posses or export gold but he failed.
Nemanashe was in turn arrested and the gold was subsequently seized by the police.
The gold pieces weighed 1, 682 kg.
The accused was hauled before Beitbridge resident magistrate Miss Gloria Takundwa where he pleaded guilty to both charges of illegal possessing gold and smuggling.
- Newsbite
1