Rushwaya’s bid for freedom hits a brickwall

Henrietta Rushwaya’s bid for freedom recently got a brick wall after she was denied bail by a Harare magistrate. The president of the Zimbabwe miners federation is facing a charge of trying to smuggle 6kg of gold to Dubai. She was recently nabbed at the Harare international airport after police received a top off. Rushwaya was caught red handed with the massive amount of gold in her hand luggage and immediately arrested.

According to an official statement by police, Rushwaya claimed to have been given the gold by one Ali. She said she had been instructed to surrender the gold to an unknown recipient as soon as she reached Dubai. Unfortunately for her, she was arrested before making it to the set destination. The 53 year old has since had her bail application turned down and will have to await her trial in remand prison. Although the state was not opposed to the bail relief being sought, the magistrate ruled that Rushwaya was not a perfect candidate for bail. Her defence counsel indicated that the defence team was ready for trial and only awaiting state papers. Rushwaya is no stranger to controversy. She also had a brush with the law briefly when she was once involved in football matters.

Rushwaya, who resides at Harpake close in Gunhill arrived at the airport around midday hoping to book a flight when she was arrested. The gold is estimated to cost over US 350 000. Many people are expectantly waiting to know the outcome of her trial should it commence.