Two men, Alexander Simbarashe Mutendera (40) and Emmanuel Nyamarebvu (50), were arrested after being found with a firearm at an event attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Beitbridge on Monday, February 24.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200038802/duo-arrested-with-gun-at-ed-function">NewsDay</a>, Mutendera works as the Chief Finance Officer at the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), while Nyamarebvu is employed by the company as a driver.
The two men were charged with possession of a firearm without a licence and were remanded to March 19 for trial, each on a US$100 bail.
Their lawyer, Jabulani Mberesi from Tavenhave and Machingauta, said that the two are pleading not guilty.
Mberesi argued that the firearm in question was a blank pistol used for scaring away animals on a farm.
Beitbridge resident magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba granted bail, ruling that the State failed to provide sufficient grounds to deny it.
He also ordered the release of the car belonging to the duo’s employer, after Mberesi argued that it had no connection to the alleged offence and that holding it would disrupt the employer’s operations.
Mberesi further argued that the chance of a conviction was almost non-existent, given that the firearm was not a real gun.
The court heard that on February 24, 2025, the accused were attending a ground-breaking ceremony officiated by Mnangagwa at the Xintai Palm River Metallurgical and Energy Industrial Park in Beitbridge.
At the security checkpoint, a Blow F92 pistol without a serial number was found under the driver’s seat, leading to their arrest.
Prosecutor Tawanda Chigavazira did not oppose the release of the car, as it belonged to the employer, not the accused.
He requested a longer remand period, explaining that the Ballistics Section requires time to test and verify firearms.

Pindula News

Two men were arrested for having a gun at an event with President Mnangagwa in Beitbridge. They work at a diamond company. They were charged with having a gun without a license and got bail. Their lawyer says it was just a blank pistol for scaring animals. The court gave them bail and released their employer's car. The gun was found under the driver's seat at a security checkpoint. The prosecutor wanted more time to test the gun. The men say they are not guilty and will go to trial on March 19.

Two Men Arrested With Gun At Mnangagwa's Beitbridge Event

Police in Harare have recovered four firearms from suspects linked to a series of armed robberies on the 9th and 10th of this month.
According to Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the recovered firearms include a 9mm P38 Walther Pistol, an Airgun KWC Super Cat, a Retay MOD 92 P.A.K, and a Retay 84 FS P.A.K.
The firearms were found following the arrest of six suspects: Tapiwa Matope (23), Wonder Matope (42), Talkmore Masanga (45), Tafadzwa Kupeta (22), Steven Mahachi (51), and Rashid Adam Chipanga (30). The suspects are linked to four armed robbery cases in Harare and Chitungwiza.
Commissioner Nyathi revealed that the firearms had been stolen from a complainant at the Copa-Cabana bus terminus in Harare’s Central Business District after the suspects posed as police officers and arrested the complainant. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
RECOVERY OF FIREARMS IN HARARE
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the recovery of four firearms from armed robbery suspects linked to a spate of robbery cases which occurred on 09th and 10th October 2024 in Harare.
The recovered firearms comprise a 9mm P38 Walther Pistol, an Airgun KWC Super Cat, a Retay MOD 92 P.A.K and a Retay 84 FS P.A.K.
The recovery of the firearms follows the arrest of six armed robbery suspects, Tapiwa Matope (23), Wonder Matope (42), Talkmore Masanga (45), Tafadzwa Kupeta (22), Steven Mahachi (51) and Rashid Adam Chipanga (30) in connection with four armed robbery cases which occurred in Dzivarasekwa, Manyame Park Chitungwiza and Hopley Zone 6 on 09th and 10th October 2024.
The firearms were recovered at a house in Damafalls Phase 2 on 22nd October 2024 following the arrest of three of the six suspects, Tafadzwa Kupeta, Steven Mahachi and Rashid Adam Chipanga.
The other suspects, Tapiwa Matope, Wonder Matope and Talkmore Masaga were arrested between 11th October 2024 and 21st October 2024 after Tapiwa Matope was found in possession of a cellphone stolen in one of the robbery cases in Dzivarasekwa on 09th October 2024.
Investigations by the Police indicated that the firearms were stolen from a complainant at the Copa-Cabana bus terminus in Harare Central Business District after the suspects had posed as police officers and arrested the complainant.
The suspects are clearing a case of robbery which occurred in Dzivarasekwa on 09th October 2024 where USD3 250.00 cash and two cellphones were stolen and another case of robbery which occurred on 10th October 2024 at Manyame Park, Chitungwiza where USD1 500.00 cash and a cellphone were stolen.
They are also linked to two separate robbery cases which occurred in Hopley Zone 6 on 10th October 2024 where a total of USD 1 800.00 cash was stolen.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores members of the public to continue reporting criminal syndicates suspected to be in possession of firearms on National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Police in Harare seized four guns from six suspects who were involved in multiple armed robberies. The guns recovered were a 9mm P38 Walther Pistol, an Airgun KWC Super Cat, a Retay MOD 92 P.A.K, and a Retay 84 FS P.A.K. The suspects were Tapiwa Matope, Wonder Matope, Talkmore Masanga, Tafadzwa Kupeta, Steven Mahachi, and Rashid Adam Chipanga. They were arrested for robberies in Harare and Chitungwiza. The guns were stolen from someone at a bus terminus. The police are urging the public to report any criminal activities involving firearms.

Police Seize Four Firearms From Six Suspects Linked To Robbery Spree In Harare And Chitungwiza

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned members of the public against abuse of firearms to settle scores or threaten others during disputes after a motorist drew a gun and threatened to shoot a fellow driver for stopping in the middle of the road.
A police report seen by Pindula News says the incident happened in Mufakose, Harare. Read the report:
<blockquote>
On 27/11/22, Police in Harare received a report of pointing a firearm in which a motorist only identified as Mapondera, pointed an unidentified pistol at the victim before threatening to shoot him.
The victim had stopped the vehicle he was driving in the middle of the road to greet a friend along Mutondo Road, Mufakose.
</blockquote>
Reports of abuse of firearms in Zimbabwe have been increasing in recent years to the extent that ZRP contemplated raiding targeted homes and business premises in search of illegally held firearms.
President mmerson Mnangagwa even declared a 53-day amnesty in August on all illegal gun owners to voluntarily surrender their weapons without any prosecution. Some paid heed to the call and surrendered their firearms while some ignored it.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Motorist Threatens To Shoot Fellow Driver For Stopping In The Middle Of The Road

Six (6) firearms were surrendered to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on Tuesday under the presidential amnesty on voluntary surrender of firearms and ammunition.
This brings the total number of guns surrendered to the police so far to 427. ZRP said in a statement:
<blockquote>
On 13/09/22, six firearms were voluntarily surrendered to the Police under the operation Firearms Amnesty, bringing the cumulative number of firearms surrendered, to 427 and 219 rounds of ammunition, since 08/08/22.
</blockquote>
The presidential amnesty on voluntary surrender of firearms and ammunition, which runs from 8 August to 30 September 2022, allows holders of guns and ammunition to hand them in with no charges being laid or penalties exacted.
Announcing the presidential amnesty on the voluntary surrender of firearms and ammunition on 8 August 2022, ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said:
<blockquote>
… the Zimbabwe Republic Police advises the public that in line with Article 12 of SADC Protocol on the control of firearms, ammunition and related materials, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has granted an amnesty to all members of the public who are in possession of firearms and ammunition falling under the categories listed above to voluntarily surrender them to the Zimbabwe Republic Police from 8th August to 30th September 2022.
The firearms should be surrendered to any nearest Police station with the volunteer being given an official safe custody receipt to confirm that the weapon has indeed been taken over by the Police officer at the local Police station.
No criminal charges will be preferred to members of the public during this period as long as one complies with the provisions of the Presidential Amnesty.
The amnesty also covers anyone who is in possession of any weapon which was smuggled or illegally brought into the country.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police takes this opportunity to inform the public that physical checks and verifications will be conducted on all residential and business premises where illegal firearms are suspected to be.
In the same vein, all licensed firearm owners are implored to visit local Police stations and update their records in compliance with the Firearms Act Chapter 10:09.
</blockquote>

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