Chamakandiona Nyahunda
Chamakandiona Nyahunda also known as Vincent Moyo is a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative based at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. Nyahunda was arrested in May 2021 and charged with assisting Tashinga Nyasha Masinire in smuggling gold worth US$782 000 to South Africa.[1]
Gold Smuggling Arrest & Trial
Chamakandiona Nyahunda also known as Vincent Moyo was arrested in May 2021 and charged with assisting Tashinga Nyasha Masinire in smuggling gold worth US$782 000 to South Africa. He was remanded in custody on 14 May 2021. His bail hearing was scheduled for 15 May 2021.[1]
On 18 May 2021, Chamakandiona Nyahunda was denied bail by Harare magistrate Stanford Mambanje who noted that the State had a strong case against him arising from the fact that he was spotted on CCTV carrying a bag believed to have been containing the gold in question. Mambanje said Nyahunda was also spotted avoiding security check points and ended up at the smoking room where he allegedly handed the bag to Tashinga Nyasha Masinire before he left for South Africa, where he was later arrested at OR Tambo International Airport.[2]
Nyahunda who is attached is to Aviation Ground Services at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, was on duty and was expected to inspect and clear goods for export.
He allegedly carried more than 13kg of gold in 23 pieces worth US$783 000 through Robert Mugabe International Airport terminal on a route that avoided all security checks, thus abusing his position, and then handing the gold in the final waiting area to Tashinga Nyasha Masinire.
CCTV footage showed that Nyahunda entered the Departure Terminal wearing a jacket and a pair of trousers whose pockets seemed to be laden with heavy objects.
Nyahunda allegedly avoided the authorised entry route where there are scanners and metal detectors fixed at the strategic points and proceeded to the Arrivals Terminal. The route he allegedly used is not allowed when getting into the Arrivals Terminal.
On the same day, Masinire arrived at the airport driving a Ford Ranger (AEK3911) vehicle. He got out and the car was driven off by someone else who remained in the car.
Masinire then went through the clearing procedures with a light bag and later went to the duty free shops waiting to board a South Africa bound flight which was due to depart at 1pm.
He allegedly went to the smoking room at the waiting area holding a light bag where he was joined by Nyahunda, who was holding a black satchel which, according to the State, looked heavy on the CCTV footage.
After about two minutes, Nyahunda left the smoking room with his bag now looking lighter while Masinire’s appeared heavier.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The NewsHawks, Twitter, Published: May 14, 2021, Retrieved: May 14, 2021
- ↑ Nyore Madzianike, Gold smuggling suspect denied bail, The Herald, Published: May 19, 2021, Retrieved: May 19, 2021
- ↑ Nyore Madzianike, US$783k gold smuggling ensnares intelligence officer, The Herald, Published: May 15, 2021, Retrieved: May 19, 2021
