By Panashe Divine Karidzagundi
FIVE men facing charges of smuggling goods worth USD 14 818,67 and ZWG 1 103 056,29 collectively, were on February 9, 2026 granted bail by the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court.
Loiton Mupingashato (34), Luckmore Chikono (34), Naresh Zimoa (38), Reward Tanyanyiwa (32), and Maikaelelo Gumbo (31) had been in custody since their initial appearance.
The five had been remanded to February 23, 2026.
In his succesful bail application, defence lawyer Forbes Sithole said the accused were good candidates for bail having no previous convictions.
According to Sithole, the State is alleging a prejudice of US$40 000, while the seized goods are valued at approximately US$50 000.
“The accused did not attempt to flee at the time of arrest, they cooperated with authorities, and they have provided their residential addresses,” Sithole argued.
He further submitted that the secured vehicles and goods were sufficient guarantees that the accused would not abscond.
The State, represented by Prosecutor Mercy Nyathi, opposed bail on the account of the Investigating officer Detective C. Tshuma, stationed at CID Beitbridge, who testified that the accused should not be released as they might interfere with witnesses.
She told the court that investigations were still ongoing, including the verification of the origin of the goods and awaiting further statements from ZIMRA.
“The country is currently facing a surge in smuggling activities, and this case involves goods of a very high value,” Tshuma said, adding that the State’s case was strong and supported by overwhelming evidence.
Under cross-examination, the investigating officer confirmed that the accused persons had not attempted to flee and that the trucks and goods were securely held by ZIMRA.
She also confirmed that the accused had implicated other individuals during investigations.
In response, the defence maintained that the presumption of innocence entitled the accused to bail.
Sithole proposed bail conditions including a US$100 deposit per accused, weekly reporting at CID Beitbridge every Friday, non-interference with witnesses, and residence at their recorded addresses.
The defence further differentiated the roles of the accused, submitting that accused persons one and two were drivers and owners of the goods who were present at the border, while accused persons three, four, and five were merely loaders who were allegedly unaware that some goods had not been properly declared.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Magistrate Charity Maphosa ruled in favour of the defence and granted bail to all five accused under conditions communicated by the court.
The matter is expected to return to court on February 23, 2026 as investigations continue.