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Peter Matika, @petematika

THE State has closed its case against Zimbabwe artisanal miners boss Henrietta Rushwaya (56) who is being charged for allegedly trying to smuggle 6kg of gold valued at about US$333 000 through the Robert Gabriel International Airport in 2020.

Rushaywa is now set to present her defence.

Her trial kicked off at the High Court of Zimbabwe in Harare on 18 September and concluded on 22 September 2023.

According to a statement issued by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the State accuses Rushwaya of evading security checks at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International airport by going through the VIP route.

“Upon going through an X-ray monitoring machine a suspicious object in the accused person’s luggage was identified. A physical search was conducted by a Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe security officer which led to the recovery of four gold bars. The accused person failed to produce an exporter’s permit and instead produced a commercial invoice and packing list on behalf of a company named Ali Japan 786 Private Limited which purportedly authorized her to transport the gold,” read the statement.

It is the State’s case that it was unlawful to export gold using these documents.

In terms of the law Fidelity Printers and Refiners Private Limited is the sole authorized exporter of gold in Zimbabwe.

For an individual or company to export gold, a Gold Dealership License is required.

“All gold exports must be accompanied by a Bill of Export, Fidelity Printers and Refiners Commercial Invoice, Fidelity Printers and Refiners Packing List, CD1 Form and RBZ Authorization Letter. Fidelity Printers and Refiners is also responsible for the movement of the consignment of gold to the airport and will only handover the package to the courier on the Airside,” read the statement.

It further stated that an individual or company cannot physically possess the gold and or package before entering the Airside.

Rushwaya was initially charged with two others suspects, Stephen Chenjerai Tserayi (47) and Raphios Mufandauya (40).

The State has however since withdrawn charges against Tserayi and Mufandauya.