Published: 11 hours ago

Seven suspected illegal foreign currency dealers accused of engaging in money laundering and running an underground forex trading operation are expected back in court today for their bail ruling.

The accused - Brenda Chirinda, Chipo Josephine Changwende, Tinashe Kativhu, Caleb Kativhu, Washington Kativhu, Wisdom Chitawa and Tapiwa Gombe - appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa this week but were not asked to plead.

Prosecutors allege that detectives from the CID Asset Forfeiture Unit received information linking the group to an informal transfer facility and illegal currency trading at the busy corner of Albion and Mbuya Nehanda streets in Harare.

The suspects were reportedly placed under surveillance for two months, during which they were observed handling high-volume cash transactions with various clients.

Investigators say the gang operated from a maroon Honda Vezel (registration number AGX 1509), which doubled as both their trading hub and storage point for large sums of money, point-of-sale machines, and multiple bank cards. The vehicle was also allegedly used as a getaway car whenever police attempted to close in.

On September 2, detectives deployed under Operation Silent Wire moved in on the suspects, arresting them and impounding the vehicle. Police reportedly recovered US$371,353 in cash, several point-of-sale machines, debit cards, and cellphones.

The State alleges that the group converted or transferred property acquired through illegal currency dealings, fully aware or suspecting that the proceeds were from crime, in a bid to conceal or disguise their illicit origins.
- H-Metro

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