Trio granted bail in ammo case

via Trio granted bail in ammo case | The Herald August 7, 2014 by Tendai Rupapa

A former senior police officer and two serving officers who allegedly stole more than 30 000 rounds of ammunition for different rifles and pistols from the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s national armoury were on Tuesday granted US$100 bail each. Former Detective Assistant Inspector Ananias Machingura (40), Detective Constable Vengesai Hakunandaba (47) and Assistant Inspector Brian Marufu (39) allegedly stole the ammunition and sold it to Woncai Huo (51), who has since been arrested and brought before the courts.

Two other accomplices are still at large.
In granting the accused bail, Mr Tendai Mahwe concurred with the defence that the State was relying solely on evidence from co-accused persons.
Mr Mahwe said the State’s fears could be dealt with through stringent bail conditions, adding some of the State’s witnesses were accomplices in the matter, hence it could not base its case on their evidence.

They will be back in court on August 25.
The trio’s lawyer, Ms Tina Kadhau of Nyikadzino Simango and Associates, in her bail application also maintained that the State’s case was weak.

“The State submitted that some of its witnesses, Woncai who bought the ammunition and the city dealer who acted as the link, were ready to testify, but based on that alone the State cannot rely on the evidence of accomplices,” said Mr Mahwe.

“All the three accused persons are family men who are of fixed aboard, hence if granted bail I do not see how the interest of justice would be prejudiced.”

Mr Mahwe said the State’s fears could be dealt with through stringent bail conditions.
He ordered the trio not to interfere with witnesses, to report once a week at ZRP Minerals Unit and to reside at their given addresses until the matter is finalised.

They will be back in court on August 25.
The trio’s lawyer, Ms Tina Kadhau of Nyikadzino Simango and Associates, in her bail application said that the State’s case was weak.