Zim Now Writer
A former driver of Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya, Tashinga Nyasha Masinire, has been convicted of contravening the Customs and Exercise Act after he was found with 23 gold bars at South Africa's OR Tambo Airport sentenced to two years imprisonment or an alternative fine of R40 000.
Masinire was arrested by members of the Hawks' organised crime investigation unit, with the assistance of customs officials.
He had concealed the gold in a box of whisky which was uncovered after a random search.
According to Hawks Gauteng spokesperson, Captain Lloyd Ramovha, Masinire's arrest came after he was subjected to a random search which uncovered the loot.
"He ... consequently appeared in the Kempton Park magistrate's court where he was granted R100,000 bail," Ramovha said.
"During the Hawks' follow-up investigation, it emerged that Masinire submitted representations with fabricated information in a bid to have the case withdrawn.
"After he realised that the case presented by investigators had no loopholes, he elected to plead guilty on February 23," Ramovha said.
The gold bars have been forfeited to the state.
Masinire's arrest came shortly after Rushwaya was also nabbed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while attempting to smuggle gold.
Her case is still pending at the Zimbabwean courts.
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