Undercover Deal Ends in Diamond Bust

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 45-year-old man has appeared in court facing charges of unlawful possession of precious stones following a police sting operation.

Cephas Mukombwe appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court charged with unlawful possession of diamonds. He was remanded in custody.

The court heard that on April 4, Mukombwe was allegedly looking for potential buyers to sell two pieces of diamonds. He was assisted by Emanuel Chikono in sourcing buyers.

Chikono was in communication with Detective Constable Sheshe, who posed as a potential buyer.

At around 11:45 AM, Mukombwe met the detectives at the corner of 3rd Street and Five Avenue in Harare. The officers introduced themselves and requested to search him.

Mukombwe reportedly took out two suspected diamond stones from a wallet in his right trouser pocket and handed them over to Sheshe, leading to his arrest.

The stones were taken to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, where they were confirmed to be diamonds weighing 1.64 carats and valued at US$174.93.