Court Reporter
TWO Chitungwiza men, who were recently arrested for possessing six unlicensed guns and several rounds of ammunition, were yesterday fined US$100 each. They were given until end of this month to pay the fine failure of which they will serve 30 days in jail.
John Mutema (27) and his accomplice Emmanuel Chinoera (25) both of Unit O, Chitungwiza, who are cross border traders, claimed to have bought the guns from Namibia and intended to smuggle them to Mozambique for resale.
The two admitted to contravening the Firearms Act when they appeared before magistrate Ms Olivia Mariga.
The court heard that on April 8 and 9 this year, detectives from Marondera CID received information that Mutema and Chinoera had some firearms.
The detectives arrested Mutema who led them to his house where a plastic bag containing some guns was hidden under a wardrobe. The guns included a Norin pistol with a magazine, 38 Taurus Special Revolver with serial number TJ65371 and a FN Browning, serial number 599788, with two magazines.
The detectives also found a 19x9mm caliber live rounds and a 9x22mm Black Widow revolver and ammunition.
Mutema took the detectives to his bedroom where a Mamirhin pistol, serial number 59938A, loaded with a magazine of 6x9mm caliber and live rounds was hidden under a cushion on a sofa. Chinoera was arrested at Murisa Business Centre in Dema after police on patrol received information that he had a gun. Police recovered a 22 Black Widow revolver, serial number R4379, loaded with four live rounds, from him. Checks with central Firearms Registry showed Mutema and Chinoera were not licensed firearm holders.
Mr Henry Muringani prosecuted for the State.