Four Mutare Men Arrested Over 75 Diamond Carats

Police in Mutare have arrested four men who were found in possession of diamonds without a licence.  National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Saturday said the men had 75 diamond carats in their possession. Said Nyathi:

on 17th September 2021, Police arrested Romeo Charles Tembo (35), Luckmore Chikove (32), Tonderai Madzivanzira (22), Teererai Chigariro (22) and Munashe Tatenda Washington Mhazo (24) for possession of diamonds without a licence or permit and possession of articles for criminal use.

The suspects were arrested in Mutare after a tip-off from members of the public and a total of 75 diamond carats were recovered.

In an unrelated development, 72 illegal panners were arrested in Chimanimani under a joint operation between the police and Zimbabwe National Army, code-named: “Operation Gweja Dzoka Kumba”.

16 vehicles that were involved in illegal activities at Charleswood Estate were also impounded as law enforcement agents intensify efforts to bring order to the resort area following a recent diamond rush.

Deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wisemen Chinyoka, confirmed the development. He said:

72 people were arrested in connection with the illegal panning of diamonds at Charleswood in Chimanimani.

This followed a diamond rush after the discovery of alluvial diamonds in the area on August 14.

Deployments started on September 6 to clear illegal panners who had set base at Mr Brian Jerekete’s farm where the diamonds were discovered.

The operation managed to arrest 72 people and 49 of them were made to pay fines. The others appeared in court facing various charges.

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka added that the operation also recovered dangerous weapons as well as some precious stones. He said:

Police arrested two individuals for possessing pistols. We recovered a CZ pistol with eight rounds, a Star pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition. Licences of the two pistols had expired. Shovels, crossbars and a knife were also recovered.

More: Pindula News; Manica Post