Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), Thursday suspended its troubled boss and President, Henrietta Rushwaya for allegedly bringing the name of the federation into disrepute following her recent arrest at Robert Mugabe International Airport in her bid to spirit off some treated gold bullion amounting to 6kgs with a face value of over close to half a million in United States of American Dollars in Dubai her supposed destination at the time of her arrest, Africa Metro can report.
ZMF whose membership is predominantly small to medium scale miners, also suspended the federation’s Secretary for External Affairs, Gift Karanda who was also arrested together with Rushwaya on similar charges of allegedly trying to smuggle gold without the proper and necessary documentation.
Makumba Nyenje, Chairperson of the ZMF management committee, announced Rushwaya and Karanda’ suspension in Gweru during a media briefing. The federation also announced that in the absence of Rushwaya, her deputy Marufu Sithole will act as the President of ZMF.
“As the management committee, we have received reports from the Secretary-General and Treasurer General following the incident involving Rushwaya and Karanda. After strong deliberations pertaining to the two, we have realized that they are appearing before the courts for attempted smuggling of gold.
“As provided by our constitution, any member convicted of a criminal offence shall also seize to be a member of the national executive. Whilst their case is before the courts, as the management team we have agreed to recommend for the suspension of Rushwaya and Karanda until finalization of their matter,” said Nyenje.
Rushwaya’s arrest has sucked in a popular Harare car dealer, Ali Mohammed who owns Ali Japan 786 motors and three others who were also allegedly fingered by Rushaway as part of the suspected gold smuggling syndicate.
It said Rushwaya further alleged that Mohammed was the owner and source of gold this despite the fact that the four gold bars were found in her luggage.
Two men believed to be part of the Presidential protection team Steven Tserayi and Rafius Mufandauya, were also arrested and are suspected to have been involved in the attempted gold smuggling by Rushwaya.
The arrested third suspect, Gift Karanda another ZMF official allegedly lied that he was a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) after he went to the airport to assist Rushwaya.
Rushwaya is likely to spend the weekend behind bars after the court Wednesday reneged on its earlier decision to grant her a $90 000 bail. Rushwaya had also agreed to offer surety of title deeds of her Borrowdale mansion in Harare.
Information gathered by Africa Metro points to more arrests in the next few days following the arrest of two Police officers one Superintendent Shoko and Detective Chief Inspector, Chimhungu who were picked up in connection with the case in Harare earlier today.
ZMF whose membership is predominantly small to medium scale miners, also suspended the federation’s Secretary for External Affairs, Gift Karanda who was also arrested together with Rushwaya on similar charges of allegedly trying to smuggle gold without the proper and necessary documentation.
Makumba Nyenje, Chairperson of the ZMF management committee, announced Rushwaya and Karanda’ suspension in Gweru during a media briefing. The federation also announced that in the absence of Rushwaya, her deputy Marufu Sithole will act as the President of ZMF.
“As the management committee, we have received reports from the Secretary-General and Treasurer General following the incident involving Rushwaya and Karanda. After strong deliberations pertaining to the two, we have realized that they are appearing before the courts for attempted smuggling of gold.
“As provided by our constitution, any member convicted of a criminal offence shall also seize to be a member of the national executive. Whilst their case is before the courts, as the management team we have agreed to recommend for the suspension of Rushwaya and Karanda until finalization of their matter,” said Nyenje.
Rushwaya’s arrest has sucked in a popular Harare car dealer, Ali Mohammed who owns Ali Japan 786 motors and three others who were also allegedly fingered by Rushaway as part of the suspected gold smuggling syndicate.
It said Rushwaya further alleged that Mohammed was the owner and source of gold this despite the fact that the four gold bars were found in her luggage.
Two men believed to be part of the Presidential protection team Steven Tserayi and Rafius Mufandauya, were also arrested and are suspected to have been involved in the attempted gold smuggling by Rushwaya.
The arrested third suspect, Gift Karanda another ZMF official allegedly lied that he was a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) after he went to the airport to assist Rushwaya.
Rushwaya is likely to spend the weekend behind bars after the court Wednesday reneged on its earlier decision to grant her a $90 000 bail. Rushwaya had also agreed to offer surety of title deeds of her Borrowdale mansion in Harare.
Information gathered by Africa Metro points to more arrests in the next few days following the arrest of two Police officers one Superintendent Shoko and Detective Chief Inspector, Chimhungu who were picked up in connection with the case in Harare earlier today.
