Brenna Matendere

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested two of its senior officers in connection with the alleged gold smuggling case involving the Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya who has since been arrested and is in custody.

Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development.

He identified the two officers as Superintended Shoko and Detective Chief Inspector Chimhungu. 

Police also arrested four other suspects, among them a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative, Stephen Tserayi.

 “The ZRP confirms that six more suspects have been arrested in connection with the gold smuggling investigation on Henrietta Rushwaya. These are; Ali Mohamad, Gift Karanda, Stephen Chenjerai Tserayi, Raphios Mufandauya, Superintendent Shoko and Detective Chief Inspector Chimhungu,” said Nyathi.

He said the suspects would appear in court soon but did not say when exactly.

Rushwaya is in custody following her arrest at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM) International Airport on Monday morning after being detected with 6kgs of gold.

She intended to travel to Dubai with the consignment.

Mohamad owns a car dealership firm called Ali Japan 786. Rushwaya, soon after arrest, alleged he was the owner of the four gold bars found in her hand luggage.

Stephen Tserayi and Rafius Mupandauya are security services officers at the RGM airport and are accused of having attempted to sneak Rushwaya through the security checks with her gold.

Gift Karanda allegedly lied that he was a member of CIO when he went to the airport to assist Rushwaya.

Meanwhile, the bail application ruling for the former Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president will be handed down tomorrow by a Harare magistrate.

The state and defence counsel initially consented to bail but the former later on changed its position alleging the crime was organised.

Rushwaya is well connected among the ruling Zanu PF elites and is a relative of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, with who she has been photographed before.