Harare – In a stunning turn of events that casts a harsh light on the effectiveness of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Zimbabwe Military Police (MP) have apprehended a wanted international drug baron and his accomplice in Harare, just days after the ZRP seemingly abandoned the search. The incident raises serious questions about the ZRP’s investigative capabilities and highlights a potential breakdown in law enforcement coordination.
Reliable sources have confirmed to The Mirror that Ali Allan Mamudu (55), a suspected international drug kingpin, was arrested at his residence at number 440 Kairezi Street, Marimba, Harare, on Tuesday. The arrest was made by Military Police personnel after CID Harare indicated that they had been unable to locate him. Simultaneously, Military Police also apprehended Khumbo Njima of Blantyre, Malawi, who is believed to be Mamudu’s accomplice.
The dramatic operation unfolded after Mamudu managed to evade arrest by the ZRP in Masvingo on Sunday morning. He was allegedly found in possession of a substantial consignment of 175kg of mbanje (marijuana), with an estimated street value of US$22,000. The illicit cargo originated from Eswatini and had transited through the Beitbridge Border Post, destined for Malawi.
According to the State’s case, Mamudu, along with Limbikani Mwanandi and Njima, were travelling on an FA Roadlink Bus from South Africa. The bus, towing a trailer concealing the mbanje, successfully passed through the Beitbridge Border Post on Saturday. However, the journey was disrupted when the bus experienced a mechanical failure near the Bulawayo turnoff in Masvingo at approximately 1 am on Sunday.
Acting on a tip-off, plainclothes Police officers lay in wait for the bus. A Nissan NV 350 commuter omnibus arrived from Harare, and the suspects began offloading the sealed mbanje into the vehicle. Detectives then moved in to make the arrests.
However, Mamudu, his son Joel, and Njima allegedly managed to escape in a VW Polo with registration number JJ20NW GP. Mwanandi and Speakmore Mhonda (39), a soldier with the Zimbabwe National Army residing at 663 New Marimba, Harare, were apprehended at the scene.
Speakmore Mhonda, who is reportedly the son of Brigadier General Fidelis Mhonda, the Presidential Guard commander, stated in his warned and cautioned statement that he resides in the same neighbourhood as Mamudu. On the day in question, Mamudu allegedly contacted his son, requesting him to bring their Nissan NV 350 to collect a consignment in Masvingo where the bus had broken down. Joel, lacking a driver’s licence, then enlisted Mhonda’s assistance to drive him to Masvingo.
Mhonda maintains that he was unaware of the contents of the consignment and was merely assisting a neighbour. He claims that it was only upon their arrival at the location of the broken-down bus that Police officers arrived and made the arrests. Some suspects have corroborated Mhonda’s account, stating in their warned and cautioned statements that they saw him for the first time at the scene of the arrest.
The Mirror has established that CID subsequently prepared a docket implicating Speakmore Mhonda. Police indicated that they were unable to locate Mamudu, prompting the Military Police, purportedly acting to assist its member, to intervene and apprehend the remaining suspects.
On Tuesday, the Military Police reportedly apprehended Mamudu and Njima and handed them over to the ZRP. However, the CID docket presented in court lacks details regarding the circumstances of Mamudu and Njima’s arrest or the identity of those who apprehended them. Sources maintain that the Military Police were responsible for the arrests.
Mhonda appeared before Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzi on Thursday for a bail ruling. A significant Military Police presence was noted at the court. He was ultimately denied bail. Sources have expressed surprise that the CID failed to apprehend the primary suspect in the case, while the Military Police were able to locate him at his residence with relative ease.
Magistrate Hanzi denied Mhonda bail, classifying him as a flight risk due to his alleged attempt to flee the scene when detectives identified themselves. Mhonda, represented by Collen Maboke of Ruvengo Maboke Legal Practitioners, will be applying for bail at the High Court on Monday. Joel remains at large.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the ZRP and raised concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in Zimbabwe. The ease with which Mamudu evaded arrest and the subsequent intervention of the Military Police have fuelled public distrust and highlighted the need for improved coordination and investigative capabilities within the ZRP.
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