HARARE – Suspected illegal foreign currency dealer Neville Mutsvangwa will continue languishing in custody for the next two weeks in state custody after he was on Monday denied bail by Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.
The son to Zanu PF spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa and Women’s Affairs minister Monica Mutsvangwa, facing four criminal offences including two cases of dealing in foreign currency, money laundering and contravening the Telecommunications Act.
He is jointly charged with Simbarashe Tichingana and Ellis Majachani who have also been denied bail.
The trio will be back in court on May 30 for their routine remand awaiting trial.
In denying the three bail, Mangosi said the state was wrong in implying that they are likely to interfere with witnesses without supporting the claim with evidence.
“On interference, it is insufficient for the state to make merely bold assertions without supporting evidence.
“Evidence was led from IO who submitted that they haven’t interfered with anyone; so the court will consider this not a valid reason,” he said.
Mangosi however took into consideration the other reasons given by the state in opposing bail.
“On absconding, the state has to consider the risks of absconding.
“Police details went to Mumba Money and seized some gadgets and articles where there is evidence of transfer of funds and in his defence the first accused person (Neville) says he has free funds and can buy staff for people who in turn pay him.
“In addition, police officers in uniform had to cut the electric fence where they searched only to find him hiding.
“The defence by the accused is invalid. The fact is the company is an unregistered entity and was transacting with clients.
“There is evidence that they were dealing in foreign currency. Accused one is a minister’s son and has connections and can sustain livelihood outside the country hence bail is denied,” he ruled.
Neville and fellow suspects in the matter were arrested last Wednesday after detectives broke into his residence after he had refused to allow them in.
Tichingana was arrested after he went to Neville’s home pretending to be a concerned neighbour.
Majachani was caught at Mumba Money, a company owned by Neville.
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