THREE men from Kwekwe who allegedly masqueraded as officers
from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) sent by President Mnangagwa to
take over a mine in Shangani have been placed off remand.
Gostaff Gomo (37), Isaac Makore (37) and Tichaona
Chinosengwa (35) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi
facing charges of impersonating a public officer in violation of section 179
(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The trio, which is being represented by Mr Boswell Chideme
of Mavhunga and Associates, was placed off remand and the matter will proceed
by way of summons.
“The application by the State for further remand is refused
and accordingly, the accused persons are placed off remand and the matter will
proceed by way of summons,” ruled Mr Mkhwananzi.
Prior to the latest development, the three men had been
ordered to surrender their passports and reside at their given residential
addresses until the matter is finalised as part of the bail conditions. They
were also ordered to report once a week at Kwekwe Central Police Station and
not interfere with State witnesses.
Their placement off remand means that they will get their
passports back and are no longer required to report to the police.
Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said on March 5 this year,
the accused drove to Tobo Mining Syndicate in Shangani, Matabeleland South
province in a Zanu-PF vehicle from Zhombe Constituency.
On arrival they confronted the owner of the mine, Ms
Priscilla Ncube and introduced themselves as CIO officers purportedly sent by
President Mnangagwa to take over the mine.
“The accused persons threatened the complainant with
unspecified action insisting that she must vacate the mine to allow them to
take over the operations,” said Mr Mageza. Chronicle
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