A South African man who was accused by Zimbabwean authorities of sending a bomb threat is back home in eManzimtoti, Durban after his deportation.
Cuan Reed Govender (25), was arrested on March 1 at the boarding gates of the Robert Mugabe International Airport after airport scanners had detected five rounds of live ammunition in his bag.
Speaking to the <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/thepost/news/man-accused-of-zimbabwe-bomb-threat-speaks-out-52bfe230-f42b-4956-8333-dd78777f8b9c">POST</a> this week, the father of one said he spent six days in a Zimbabwean prison.
Govender said he began working remotely for a company in Zimbabwe, as its general manager in July 2023.
He said this was his first trip to Zimbabwe for work and he did not know the bullets were in his bag. Said Govender:
<blockquote>
This was my first time in an aeroplane. I was meant to spend a week in Zimbabwe for business. I did not realise that the suitcase I was carrying had bullets in one of the compartments.
At the airport in South Africa, they did not detect the bullets so it came as a surprise to me when scanners picked up the bullets at the airport in Zimbabwe.
At the time of my arrest, I complied with officials and explained that it was a mistake on my part. I knew I had to face the consequences. I was taken to a holding cell.
</blockquote>
Govender said he spent the night in a holding cell and made his first appearance on March 2 at the Harare Magistrate’s Court.
He pleaded guilty to being in unlawful possession of ammunition.
At the time of his arrest, Govender did not know that the Zimbabwe authorities had linked him with a “John Doe” who had sent an email of a bomb/firearm alert on March 1.
The email had exposed an alleged plan to attack Zimbabwe’s airports and forced the temporary closure of Victoria Falls International Airport. Said Govender:
<blockquote>
I spent the weekend in prison, waiting to appear in court on Monday for sentencing.
During this time, I was visited by a few people, who told me that I was being linked to sending a bomb threat.
I was shocked as this was never mentioned to me in court and I did not understand what was happening.
</blockquote>
When he reappeared in court on Monday, Govender represented himself and took full responsibility for having the bullets, saying he made “an honest mistake”. He said:
<blockquote>
On Monday evening, I was told that I could pay a fine of $300 (R5 700) or spend four months in prison. I paid the fine but was still kept imprisoned until Wednesday (March 6).
I felt trapped and concerned as I had still not been told by the courts or police about the bomb threat case. I was just told that the story was circulating on social media.
</blockquote>
Govender remained in custody until his eventual deportation. Despite his release, he asserted that he was never directly questioned regarding the bomb threat allegations.
Interestingly, during this period, his name was widely circulated on social media by Zimbabwean authorities, connecting him to the alleged threat, yet no formal interrogation took place. He said:
<blockquote>
The false information delayed my departure. The fact that I had to be deported will affect my life. I assume it was a case of the government not doing their work and proper investigations.
There was no link to me, but the authorities used me as a scapegoat to make themselves look good. I was a foreigner in their country and it was easy to blame me, without charging me or conducting thorough investigations.
They could not prove that there was a link between me and the email sender, John Doe.
</blockquote>
He said the false accusations affected his life, job and reputation and exposed the legal system and how they can get things wrong.
Govender said conditions in the prison were inhumane – with no water or sanitation. He added:
<blockquote>
I am an amputee, so the circumstances of my stay in prison was worse due to my physical challenges. I thank my family and friends for supporting me during this time.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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South African Man Accused Of Zimbabwe Bomb Threat Speaks Out

A 25-year-old South African national has been fined US$300 by the Harare Magistrates Court for unlawful possession of ammunition.
Cuan Reed Govender was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Friday, 01 March where he intended to catch an Airlink flight to South Africa.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Govender was arrested by the police after they searched his baggage and found 5 live rounds of ammunition. The NPA said:
<blockquote>
Cuan Reed Govender aged 25 from Durban South Africa, was sentenced today at the Harare Magistrates Court for unlawful possession of ammunition.
He was arrested at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Friday the 1st of March 2024 when live rounds of ammunition were detected in his luggage by the baggage scanner.
The Police searched his baggage and found 5 live rounds of ammunition. The accused had intended to board an Airlink flight to South Africa.
The court ordered the accused person to pay a fine of USD300.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications) George Charamba on Monday, 04 March claimed Govender was the anonymous “John Doe”, who sent a bomb/firearm alert to FastJet alleging a plan to attack Zimbabwe’s airports, particularly Victoria Falls International Airport last Friday. He wrote on X:
<blockquote>
In the interests of ongoing operations, we leave it at that for now. We thank Zimbabweans for remaining calm while operations are underway. We hope to reach closure very soon.
</blockquote>
The email sent to Fastjet by “John Doe” resulted in the temporary closure of the Victoria Falls International Airport on Friday.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa was forced to abandon a trip to Victoria Falls mid-flight after authorities were warned of a “credible bomb or firearm threat” following the email.
Reports indicate that X-ray scanners detected five bullets in Govender’s blue bag he carried to the airport.
He reportedly told detectives that the bag was the one he used when going to the shooting range after buying a gun to defend himself, adding that he must have forgotten to remove the bullets.
Govender was taken to the Harare Magistrates Court on 02 March where he appeared without a lawyer before magistrate Sharon Rakafa.
He returned to the court yesterday, 04 March, where he was fined US$300 for unlawful possession of ammunition.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"John Doe" Fined US$300 By A Harare Magistrate

The Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) says the country’s airports are now operating normally after the Victoria Falls International Airport was closed briefly on Friday due to security concerns.
The country’s security systems were put on high alert yesterday in response to reports of a bomb or firearm threat targeting the country’s airports.
This was after Fastjet Airlines forwarded an e-mail message to Zimbabwean authorities which originated from one “John Doe” who claimed to have credible information that a bomb or firearm threat was targeting Zimbabwean airports.
However, speaking to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/airports-operating-normally-after-bomb-firearms-threat/">The Herald</a> last night ACZ chief executive officer Tawanda Gusha said security services have taken all precautions at airports to ensure safe travel. He said:
<blockquote>
(The) airports are operating including the Victoria Falls International Airport.
We want to assure our stakeholders and all those using airports that the security services have taken all precautions to ensure that the travelling public is safe.
</blockquote>
In an earlier statement yesterday, the Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications), George Charamba, said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had cancelled a trip to Victoria Falls following the bomb or firearm threat.
He said security services were investigating the source and credibility of the “John Doe” email.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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