A 32-YEAR-OLD Mudzi man, who allegedly stole more than 2 153 tonnes of gold ore worth US$650 000 from a mining company in the gold-rich area of Makaha, on Friday appeared before Mutoko magistrate Chiedza Gatsi facing a charge of theft.
Tadeas Dumba Bote of Tonge village, under Chief Nyakuchena, was, however, granted US$400 bail despite the investigating officer and state opposing.
Bote will return to court on September 19 for trial.
The investigating officer, one Lunga of CID Minerals, Fauna and Flora Unit, had opposed bail arguing that the law enforcement agency was yet to recover a Toyota vehicle allegedly acquired using proceeds of the stolen loot.
Lunga also told the court that the accused was threatening witnesses and that police were still to recover some of the stolen gold ore, hence he should be denied bail.
Bote, through his lawyer Cleopas Mvuto of Mudimu and Partners, successfully challenged for bail arguing that the State had no evidence linking him to the offence.
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According to court papers, Bote allegedly stole 2153 tonnes of gold dump at Milmath Security Mine in Mudzi between July and August this year.
The accused was allegedly seen moving the gold ore using hired trucks.
He then allegedly acquired a Toyota single cab truck, which is yet to be recovered.
Police recovered part of the stolen gold ore, but a larger chunk of it is yet to be recovered.
The value of the stolen gold ore is US$646 128 and only US$7 200 was recovered.
Vimbai Rufurokuda represented the State