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Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
THREE people were arrested in Harare for allegedly printing fake American and South African bank notes in Sunningdale.

Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Wonder Panashe (35), Edgar Kadawu (33) and Melonisha Karuma (18).

They recovered $1 000 in fake $20, $50 and $10 notes and fake R100 notes, printers, bond paper and metal rulers.

The three appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe yesterday charged with possessing tools for criminal use.

They were remanded in custody to today for a bail ruling. Prosecutor Mrs Idah Mateke-Maromo opposed bail.

Mrs Mateke-Maromo said the State had a strong case against the three.

“Your Worship, there is a clear nexus between the charge and the accused persons who were caught while in the act. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty falls away since they were caught red-handed.

“The offence of manufacturing fake currencies is on the rise and if these accused persons are released on bail, they are likely to continue committing the offence,” she said.

The three’s lawyer Mr Tungamirai Chakurira said his clients were proper candidates for bail. He argued that on the day his clients were arrested they had visited Elton Nyamudahondo. Mr Chakurira said his clients were not aware of the criminal activities taking place at Nyamudahondo’s house.

“The recoveries were made in the house and nothing was recovered from them as alleged by the State. Your worship these are proper candidates for bail and the State’s fears can be cured by the bail conditions,” he said.

Cops got a tip-off on July 20 that the three were printing fake notes at house Number 15887, Sunningdale 2.

They visited the house where they found Panashe smoking mbanje in the company of Nyamudahondo. Nyamudahondo escaped, while Panashe was arrested.

Police found Panashe in possession of fake $20 notes amounting to $100 and a fake R100 note.

He led the detectives into the house where Kadawu and Karuma were caught red-handed printing fake notes.

It is alleged they were making $50, $20 and $10 notes. Further searches in the house led to the recovery of four printers, bond paper and metal rulers.

Police also retrieved $1 000 in fake $20, $50 and $10 notes and fake R100 notes.