Published by the government of Zimbabwe
9 June 2008
Harare — A POLICEMAN and five civilians were arrested in Chiadzwa last week, resulting in the recovery of 12 diamonds, US$4 870, 300 rands and $185 billion in cash, as police intensify operations against illegal diamond dealers.
Policemen who were on patrol in the area arrested the suspects.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri said on Wednesday at around 1pm, police on patrol saw a number of vehicles being driven from Chiadzwa Camp raising suspicion that they were returning from the diamond fields.
They stopped one of the vehicles, a Honda (registration number AAY 3365), which had four occupants -- Taurai Manhenda (20), Gladstone Tera (18), Tongai Manhenda and Enicia Muyambo (ages not given), all of Mutare.
The four were searched and police discovered that Taurai Manhenda had US$3 370, Tera had 10 diamonds and a digital scale while Tongai and Enicia had nothing on them.
Indications were that Tongai and Enicia were also the owners of the 10 diamonds that were recovered from Tera.
A few minutes later police stopped another vehicle, a Toyota Starlet (registration number AAL 6981), which was being driven by Tinotenda Shumba (23) of Mutare.
Shumba was found with one diamond.
Constable Gadzikwa of Support Unit was also in the same vehicle and had in his possession his service rifle.
Cst Gadzikwa was searched and police recovered one diamond, US$1 500, 300 rand and $85 billion in $5 billion notes.
Supt Phiri said all the suspects were detained at Mutare Central Police Station while investigations are still in progress.
They are expected to appear in court soon facing charges under the Precious Stones Act. He said Cst Gadzikwa was likely to face another charge under the Police Act.
Last month, police arrested more than 1 100 people in the area since the launch of Operation Restore Order at Chiadzwa diamond field.
Operation Restore Order is one of the biggest crackdowns launched since the beginning of the diamond rush about two years ago, with the police saying adequate material and human resources had been deployed to boost the operation.
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