Five individuals have been brought before the court to go on trial for alleged involvement in the theft of diamond worth over $31,000.
At the Harare Magistrates’ Courts, Silas Chirume, 53, of Mutare, Edward Gunda, 62, Maison Phiri, 37, Steven Wahita, 56, and Isaac Muripa, 37, who live at the RGM International Airport Compound, appeared to answer to accusations of larceny.
They are being held while more legal actions are taken.
The event happened on April 17, at approximately 9:00 a.m., when Anjin Investments Pvt Limited carried out a diamond packaging operation in anticipation of the shipment of diamonds to the United Arab Emirates, which were intended for a business called Erleen Gold Trading DMCC Dubai, according to the prosecution led by Takudzwa Jambawu.
Workers from Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, Anjin Investments Pvt Limited, a member of the CID Minerals and Fauna Unit in Harare, and the client, Paolo Persico representing Erleen Gold Trading DMCC Dubai, were present during the packaging process.
The five accused people allegedly worked as a team to bundle 100 packages into 10 bags and then seal those bags inside a trunk.
The offender is said to have been successful in stealing a single sachet containing diamonds valued at 98.20 carats throughout this procedure.
The consignment was dispatched to the UAE customer on May 3, according to the court record. When the customer received parcel number 39, which included diamonds weighing 98.20 carats, he noticed that it was missing.
Zimbabwe’s Minerals Marketing Corporation was notified of the deficit and the issue was reported to the police.
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Later, on May 9, at approximately 9:00 a.m., officers from the CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit in Harare examined CCTV footage to determine what transpired on April 17 during the shipment procedure.
In front of the other suspects, the video purportedly showed Chirume discreetly pocketing a packet of diamonds while packing suitcases.
Chirume was allegedly arrested about 11:00 a.m. on the same day that he finished the procedure and concluded his duties. He claimed to have exposed the other accused as his accomplices and revealed that they had split the US$20,000 they had made from selling the stolen jewels to Boss Guzu, giving each of them US$4,000.
In addition, Chirume is said to have assisted the authorities in locating a Honda Fit that he had paid US$3,200 for.
Gunda claimed that he used part of his US$4,000 share to pay school fees and led the police to recover US$1,000 as the remaining balance.
Phiri admitted to receiving US$3,800 as his share, but lost US$2,000 from soccer betting. He allegedly spent US$1,700 on school fees and welfare expenses.
As a result, the total value of the stolen diamond is estimated at US$31,010.53, with US$1,000 in cash and a car worth US$3,200 recovered.
According to Gunda, he paid school tuition with part of his US$4,000 share, and he helped the police get the US$1,000 that was left over.
Phiri acknowledged taking home US$3,800 as his share, but he also lost US$2,000 on soccer wagers. It is said that he paid US$1,700 for assistance and school tuition.
Thus, the estimated total value of the pilfered diamond is US$31,010.53, with US$1,000 in cash and a US$3,200 automobile found.
