�Interpol Has No Zim Soldier�s Record�
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday November 16, 2015 15:49
The Interpol revealed that the name appearing on the suspect’s passport, Michael Graduate Mutizwa, turned out not to exist in the Zimbabwean name database.
This revelation could mean the man is slapped with a charge of obtaining a residence permit using fake documentation.
The investigating officer in the matter, detective superintendent Sergeant Marapo revealed this in court yesterday that, rather the database had another Graduate Mutizwa whose fingerprints did not match those submitted to Interpol.
The man who was denied bail by Broadhurst Magistrate Nthabiseng Tladi after the ruling then requested the prosecution to conduct parallel investigations and send the documents to the Zimbabwean Embassy, as he believes they will verify his identity. “I will also like to be furnished with a forensic report on the fingerprints sent to Harare,” he said.
Supporting his reasons for bail application, the man said he was not a flight risk as he was married to a Motswana woman with whom they were in the process of reconciling. He also said he still has a resident permits that expires mid-2016 and a passport that expires in 2020. He added that he was cooperating with courts in his other assault case in which he said he never missed a mention and that he is not employed but get jobs from time to time.
The wife, Christina Mutizwa was then called to the witness stand by the man to support his case. However the wife told court that she has since backed off the reconciliation, as she was scared of the husband who he also accused of having not played his assignment from the pastor who was helping them reconcile.
Prosecutor, Manager Mabaleng had opposed bail for the suspect, as the investigations were still ongoing. Also, said Mabaleng, the suspect was likely to abscond, as he had no permanent residence.
Mabaleng also said he was dangerous and was suspected to be paying his P2,700 rent from crime proceeds. He was caught with weapons and found in possession of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) trousers and sticks of honour which he was not entitled to.
Delivering judgement, Tladi said it was worrisome that the man’s identity could not be verified by Interpol and that the wife has said she wants nothing to do with the husband.
“That means you are likely to abscond, as your wife is not willing to give any type of support. Your rent is in arrears and you do not have a permanent job. You have no reason to stay in the country and granting you bail will set a wrong precedence as if you are to abscond people will think they can get away with criminal acts,” she said. Tladi further said if the suspect was to abscond they were likely to arrest the other Mutizwa.The court also learnt that Mutizwa was arrested with seven Walkie talkies, 12 Walkie talkie chargers, three Walkie talkie batteries, five handcuffs, one baton and two sticks of honour.
He was also found in possession of a ceremonial uniform suspected to be that of the Zimbabwe National Army, shorthand notebook with written notes for safety precautions and handling of a 9mm pistol in his possession.