The trial of six men accused of dealing in 210 kilogrammes of mbanje has restarted at the Harare Magistrates Court following the recusal of a Mbare magistrate.
The accused — Tonderai and Takunda Rusikira, Tunga Mirai Mavindidze, Robin Tiba, Leonard Takura and Barnwell Chikomba — will now appear before Harare magistrate Ignatius Mhene after their lawyers successfully applied for the recusal of Mbare resident magistrate Mangosi.
Prosecutors allege that on October 27 last year, detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics National Crack Team received information that the Rusikira brothers and Mavindidze were dealing in dangerous drugs at Western Truck Transport workshop in Beitbridge.
On October 28 at around 4:30pm, detectives mounted surveillance at the premises and observed Tonderai Rusikira driving a white Iveco truck (registration AEG 1792) into the yard with his brother Takunda. The pair allegedly parked near Mavindidze’s haulage truck, disembarked and began offloading and inspecting the contraband with him.
Detectives moved in and identified themselves before conducting a search, with the suspects’ consent, on 16 bales wrapped in black plastic. The substance was identified as mbanje, leading to the trio’s arrest.
The three were taken to CID Drugs and Narcotics in Beitbridge, where the drugs and vehicle were formally seized. During questioning, they allegedly implicated Tiba as the intended recipient in Harare.
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Police then carried out a controlled delivery, escorting the suspects and the consignment to Harare. On October 29, at Aspindale truck stop, Mavindidze allegedly contacted Tiba to arrange collection.
Detectives on surveillance observed Tiba arriving in a white Nissan AD Van (registration AGS 7865). Takura and Chikomba also arrived in separate vehicles, including a Toyota Sienta taxi. The group allegedly began inspecting and loading the mbanje into the vehicles.
Police moved in and arrested all six suspects as they loaded the consignment.
They were taken to CID Drugs and Narcotics Harare along with the recovered 16 bales of mbanje. Seizure confirmation receipts were issued for the drugs, vehicles and cellphones.
The mbanje, with an estimated street value of US$20 986, will be produced in court along with supporting exhibits, including a weighing certificate and a forensic laboratory report.