The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Sunday cleared First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and son Collins who were implicated in a gold smuggling case involving embattled former Zimbabwe Miners Federation President, Henrietta Rushwaya.
In a statement earlier, Mnangagwa had dismissed attempts to link her to Rushwaya who is facing charges of trying to smuggle six kilograms of gold.
She challenged the police to make a statement to clarify statements by one police officer,to which the law enforcement agency duly obliged.
Mnangagwa challenged the police through their relevant office to issue a statement after one officer, Gift Karanda, implicated the two as the owners of the busted gold.
“As the First Lady, my duty is first and foremost to Zimbabwe as a nation. I serve each and every Zimbabwean wholeheartedly and selflessly. I serve the interests of my nation and not any individual. I do not engage in illegal narrow-minded pursuits like gold smuggling,” she said.
Within minutes, the ZRP issued a statement saying the Mnangagwa family was wrongfully accused after “comprehensive investigation” pointed out that the two were not involved in the act.
The police said they arrested Karanda who is facing charges of contravening section 184(1)(e) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act [Chapter 9:23] that is Defeating or Obstructing the Course of Justice.
Karanda accused the Mnangagwas of being the ring leaders in the gold heist.
“He is also facing charges of contravening section 3(1)(a) of the Gold Trade Act [Chapter 21:03], dealing in and possession of gold without being a holder of a licence or permit and also contravening section 182(1) of the Customs and Exercise Act [Chapter 23:02], smuggling.
“This relates to his utterances to law enforcement officers at The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on 26 October 2020 when he indicated that there was no case as the gold belonged to the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mngaganwa and her son Collins Mnangagwa.
Comprehensive investigations have proved that the statement by Gift Karanda was false and malicious with to intent to defeat or obstruct the course of justice. As such, he was accordingly charged and the case is pending before the courts,” said Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, ZRP National Spokesperson.
