Zimbabwe Military Police nabbed a wanted international drug baron Tuesday in Harare. This arrest came just days after the regular police gave up looking for him. Sources told The Mirror that Military Police found Ali Allan Mamudu, 55, right at his house on Kairezi Street, Marimba. They also caught his suspected accomplice, Khumbo Njima, from Malawi almost at the same moment.
Police nearly caught Mamudu earlier in Masvingo. He escaped Sunday morning after officers allegedly discovered him with 175kg of marijuana valued at $22,000. The drug shipment traveled from Eswatini through Beitbridge Border Post, heading toward Malawi. Both men appeared before the court Wednesday after Military Police turned them over to regular police.
State prosecutors say Mamudu, Limbikani Mwanandi, and Njima traveled on an FA Roadlink Bus from South Africa. Their bus pulled over with mechanical problems at the Bulawayo turnoff around 1 am. Acting on secret information, plainclothes officers watched and waited. When a Nissan NV 350 van arrived from Harare, the suspects began transferring sealed packages of marijuana.
Detectives rushed in, but Mamudu, his son Joel, and Njima sped away in a VW Polo. Officers arrested Mwanandi and army soldier Speakmore Mhonda at the scene. Mhonda, 39, lives in New Marimba, Harare, and reportedly is the son of Presidential Guard commander Brigadier General Fidelis Mhonda. He stated that he lives in the same neighborhood as Mamudu. That fateful day, Mamudu phoned his son about bringing their Nissan van to Masvingo because of vehicle troubles.
Since Joel lacks a driver's license, he asked Mhonda for help driving to Masvingo. Police swooped in just as they arrived at the breakdown location. Mhonda insists he did not know the cargo contents—he simply helped a neighbor. Several other suspects confirmed meeting Mhonda for the first time during the arrest. The Mirror learned that CID prepared a case against Speakmore. When regular police reported failing to locate Mamudu, Military Police stepped in, presumably to support their fellow serviceman.
Military Police captured both Mamudu and Njima on Tuesday and took them into custody. Curiously, the CID court documents skip all details about how or who arrested these two men. Sources indicated the Military Police took action themselves. A notable Military Police presence attended court Thursday when Mhonda faced Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzi for his bail hearing. His request was denied.
Many found it suspicious that CID failed to locate the main suspect when Military Police simply went to his house and found him. Magistrate Hanzi classified Mhonda as a flight risk, noting he ran from the scene when detectives identified themselves. He only stopped running after officers fired warning shots. Attorney Collen Maboke from Ruvengo Maboke Legal Practitioners represents Mhonda. They plan to apply for bail at the High Court on Monday. Joel remains missing.
Police nearly caught Mamudu earlier in Masvingo. He escaped Sunday morning after officers allegedly discovered him with 175kg of marijuana valued at $22,000. The drug shipment traveled from Eswatini through Beitbridge Border Post, heading toward Malawi. Both men appeared before the court Wednesday after Military Police turned them over to regular police.
State prosecutors say Mamudu, Limbikani Mwanandi, and Njima traveled on an FA Roadlink Bus from South Africa. Their bus pulled over with mechanical problems at the Bulawayo turnoff around 1 am. Acting on secret information, plainclothes officers watched and waited. When a Nissan NV 350 van arrived from Harare, the suspects began transferring sealed packages of marijuana.
Detectives rushed in, but Mamudu, his son Joel, and Njima sped away in a VW Polo. Officers arrested Mwanandi and army soldier Speakmore Mhonda at the scene. Mhonda, 39, lives in New Marimba, Harare, and reportedly is the son of Presidential Guard commander Brigadier General Fidelis Mhonda. He stated that he lives in the same neighborhood as Mamudu. That fateful day, Mamudu phoned his son about bringing their Nissan van to Masvingo because of vehicle troubles.
Since Joel lacks a driver's license, he asked Mhonda for help driving to Masvingo. Police swooped in just as they arrived at the breakdown location. Mhonda insists he did not know the cargo contents—he simply helped a neighbor. Several other suspects confirmed meeting Mhonda for the first time during the arrest. The Mirror learned that CID prepared a case against Speakmore. When regular police reported failing to locate Mamudu, Military Police stepped in, presumably to support their fellow serviceman.
Military Police captured both Mamudu and Njima on Tuesday and took them into custody. Curiously, the CID court documents skip all details about how or who arrested these two men. Sources indicated the Military Police took action themselves. A notable Military Police presence attended court Thursday when Mhonda faced Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzi for his bail hearing. His request was denied.
Many found it suspicious that CID failed to locate the main suspect when Military Police simply went to his house and found him. Magistrate Hanzi classified Mhonda as a flight risk, noting he ran from the scene when detectives identified themselves. He only stopped running after officers fired warning shots. Attorney Collen Maboke from Ruvengo Maboke Legal Practitioners represents Mhonda. They plan to apply for bail at the High Court on Monday. Joel remains missing.
