Ruling in Unki Mine case postponed

By Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge Bureau
JUDGMENT in a case in which Unki Mine is accused of smuggling a minibus fitted with new spare parts worth R236 375 into the country through Beitbridge border post has been postponed to July 5. Jimson Ruzvidzo (driver) and James
Madadangoma, a foreman representing the mine would have to wait a little longer to know their fate. The duo is jointly charged with smuggling and is denying the charges.
The case was postponed to a later date as the magistrate who is handling the matter Mr Innocent Bepura was away due to other pressing matters. Both accused were remanded out of custody on US$100 bail. Prosecutor Mr Tawonga Musina told the court that on May 10, Ruzvidzo was sent to South Africa by Madadangoma to collect a Mercedes Benz minibus belonging to Unki Mine.
The minibus, whose registration number is ACM7784 had been fitted with various items including seats, window panes, fire extinguishers, parcel shelves, radio and sound system among other accessories worth R236 375.
It is the State’s case that upon arrival at Beitbridge border post the two accused persons connived to smuggle the fitted accessories without declaring them to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority as per normal customs and excise procedures.
While at the border post Ruzvidzo went through all the immigrations procedures and decided to leave the border post without paying duty for the fitted items.
He was then intercepted by detectives from the Border Control Unit on suspicion that the vehicle had not paid any customs duty and levies.
Investigations then led to the discovery of documents that the bus had been fitted with an assortment of items which were liable to excise duty.
Ruzvidzo was subsequently arrested and the bus was in turn seized by Zimra. Further investigations led to Madadangoma’s arrest.
The documents indicated that the fittings had been made by Angelo Kater Motor Trimmers CC in South Africa.
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