The State has applied for the withdrawal of its bail consent against Henrietta Rushwaya in the matter in which she is alleged to have attempted to smuggle gold to Dubai through the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Monday.
Rushwaya is appearing before magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna. The
State had yesterday consented to granting Rushwaya $90 000 bail coupled with
other conditions.
In its application, the State said Rushwaya will not suffer
any prejudice as the court had not made any decision regarding granting her
bail.
“This is an organised plan to commit crime in the manner in
which the execution of the offense was carried out.
“When the accused person approached the exit point, the
closed circuit television (CCTV) that mans that area were switched off and her
clearance took four minutes from the time she arrived at the airport.
“The net of the syndicate is actually wider hence upon
taking note of that, we have enlarged the scope of the investigation and we
expect more suspects to be brought to court tomorrow.
“There is also evidence that was availed to the effect that
the accused tried to bribe two officers who had discovered the offence,” said
Mr Darudzo Ziyaduma for the State.
He said other personnel involved in assisting in the
smuggling of gold included a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation
and another masquerading as a member of the same organisation.
“The net is wider than earlier thought. Hence the decision
to withdraw the consent. Additionally, the source where the gold was obtained
and it’s intended destinations are now part of investigations,” said Mr
Ziyaduma.
Rushwaya’s lawyer Mr Tapson Dzvetero opposed to the
application. “There is a directive by the court which is outstanding directed
to the State to furnish the court reasons why they made concession to the bail.
That order had not been complied with by the State.
“The State did not furnish the court with reasons why the
State had conceded to bail yesterday.
“That is the starting point. The State should have started
by saying why it had consented to bail and that is what they had been directed
by the court. Instead of complying by the court order, the State is now making
a fresh order. In other words, the State is approaching the court with dirty
hands. The State is clearly in contempt of court to give reasons why they
consented. The State must purge its contempt first,” said Mr Dzvetero. Herald
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