40 ton cyanide stashers get light fines

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Foreign national Maria Magdalena ‘Marida’ Van Der Spuy, a former fugitive wanted for illegally storing undocumented cyanide, has escaped with a slap on the wrist.

 The 40 tonnes of cyanide were stored illegally in Bulawayo

The South African pastry chef, who presented herself as a mining expert using a falsified CV, recently pleaded guilty to the charges after months of evading authorities.

 Van Der Spuy and her co-accused, Chinese national Li Song, were fined US$700 and US$1000 respectively.

 The trial revealed the involvement of other individuals, including Bulawayo professional game hunter Wayne Jardine, who helped Van Der Spuy hide the contraband.

 Jardine did not face any legal consequences.

Van Der Spuy's husband au pair, and son, were also implicated in her evasion tactics.

The authorities have indicated that additional charges are pending.