HARARE police have detained former Zimbabwe Football Association chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya who was this afternoon arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare on allegations of trying to smuggle 6kg of gold to Dubai.
She is expected in court tomorrow.
Rushwaya (53), was arrested by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detectives after the gold was found in her hand luggage following a search as she was going through check-in formalities.
The gold was detected by Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe scanners and Rushwaya, who is the president of the Zimbabwe Miners
Federation, failed to produce documents authorising her to export the precious mineral, leading to her arrest.
Asked about the origins of the gold, Rushwaya is said to have claimed that she got it from a person she only identified as Ali, who resides in Alexandra Park in Harare.
She told detectives that Ali was a licenced gold buyer and had instructed her to hand over the gold to an unidentified person at Dubai Airport.
Police said the recovered gold would be taken for assay to determine quantity and value after which it would be sent to Fidelity Printers and Refiners for safekeeping.
The leaked docket circulation on social media about Rushwaya’s arrests states that:
Complainant. State
Accused
Name Henreatta Rushwaya
Age 53 years
NR 66-031209-C-27
Res 1 Garlake Close, Gunhill, Harare
Bus Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF-President)
Cell 0771464791
Charge: C/S 182 of the Customs and Exercise Act Chapter 23:02 “SMUGGLING”
Place Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Harare
Date 26/10/20
Time 1200hrs
Quantity approximately 6kg of gold.
Value TBA
Circumstances
On 26 October 2020, infornation was received by detectives from CID MFFU Harare Airport to the effect that the accused intended to smuggle gold to Dubai through the Airport.
The detectives identified the accused as she commenced check in processes and immigration formalities. The detectives immediately alerted the Civil Aviation authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) scanner operators to thoroughly examine the accused’s bag.
Gold was detected by the scanner in the accused’s bag which formed part of her hand luggage. The bag was searched in the presence of the accused by CID MFFU detectives whilst other stakeholders at the Airport witnessed the search. A total of approximately 6kg of gold whose value is yet to be determined was recovered stashed in the accused’s personal luggage in her bag.
The accused was questioned about the origin of the gold and she indicated that she obtained it from one only identified as Ali of number 32 Lanark Road, Alexandra Park, Harare. She indicated that Ali is a licenced gold buyer using the name Ali Japan 786 Private Limited. She alleged that she had been instructed by Ali to leave the gold to an unidentified person at Dubai Airport.
The accused was asked to supply export documents in respect of the gold and she failed leading to her arrest.
The recovered gold will be taken for assay to determine quantity and value. It will be lodged at Fidelity Printers and Refiners for safekeeping.
The accused will be taken to Harare Magistrate Court on 27 October 2020.
CID MFFU Harare DR refers.
Criminal Investigation Department
26 October 2020.
