Chiadzwa, stood accused of having been in possession of about 8kg or 43 028.20 carats of diamonds worth about US$300m. The quantity is arguably one of the largest diamond haul that the police have recovered from an individual after government launched the crackdown on illegal diamond dealings in 2006. Musakwa in delivering his judgment said the state had, proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt that Chiadzwa had committed the offence.
Based on the fact s raised by the state I do find you guilty as charged, said Musakwa as he convicted the 54-year old Chiadzwa, who is married and has seven children. Chris Ndlovu, who was representing Chiadzwa called on the court not to impose a custodial sentence since Chiadzwa had been traumatized through adverse media reports, that his case had dragged for too long since October 2006. The lawyer impressed on the court to consider imposing a fine as Chiadzwa is a breadwinner of a big family.
Appearing for the state Nelson Makunyire said he had no information previous criminal records for Chiadzwa. At the close of the mitigation Chiadzwa looked remorse as he listened to proceeding. As he was whisked away he looked shocked at the prospects of spending the weekend in prison as prison officers were busy booking him in. Chiadzwa quickly removed his spectacles and shoved them into his stripped blue shirt pocket. Chiadzwa’s wife, Callista Chiadzwa, is also appearing separately after she was found in possession of 2 462 carats of diamonds worth about US$16, 2 million.
The two have pleaded not guilty when their trial commenced on May 21, 2009. Police arrested Chiadzwa after receiving a tip-off that he was dealing in diamonds. About 117grammes of diamonds were recovered in his trousers pockets upon his arrest. The state other diamonds were recovered from his car, while the bulk of them were recovered from his shop. The defence led by ndlovu had argued Chiadzwa had received the diamonds from his late father who was getting them from the local people. He said the local people had entrusted his late father to sell the diamond on their behalf to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe.
Ndlovu had also argued that the government had given express permission for villagers in Marange to mine diamonds and sell them to the MMCZ. Former manicaland provincial governor Tinaye Chigudu was quoted as having given permission to villagers to mine the diamonds and the meeting was recorded by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
Post published in: News