HARARE magistrate Tendai Mahwe yesterday denied bail to the three people arrested while printing fake United States dollars and South African Rands.
by PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
He ruled that the accused were not suitable candidates for bail as they were likely to abscond the trial fearing conviction in view of the fact that they were caught red handed.
The trio of Wonder Panashe, Edgar Kadawu and Melonisha Karuma were arrested in Sunningdale after a tip-off that they were involved in printing fake money.
Police recovered $1 260 in different denominations, a computer, printer and rulers at the house. A fourth suspect Elton Muduhondo is still at large.
“The State has a strong case because the police caught the accused while printing the fake currency and chances of conviction are very high,” Mahwe said.
“The case is serious because it affects the national economy, you can imagine if a country has a printing press producing fake money the economy would collapse in a short time.
“The offence is of national importance and they will skip bail to avoid being made an example by the courts.”
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Defence lawyer Tungamirai Chakurira on Thursday had argued that his clients were of fixed abode and had meagre earnings and therefore were not a flight risk.
Chakurira added that his clients had a defence that they were caught while visiting Mudahondo and were not aware of the illegal dealings that took place at the house.
The defence even proposed to the court to grant $50 bail each, reside at their given addresses, and report to the police every day and any other conditions the court may impose in exchange for their liberty.
Prosecutor Idah Maromo had opposed bail arguing that the accused would flee and were likely to continue produce fake currencies. The matter was remanded to August 7, 2015.
