Harare businessmen charged with spying

Other news agencies report there are 3 charged with spying - Simba Mangwende and Farai Rwodzi of Africom, and Oliver Chiku. (Axis)

TWO Zimbabwean businessmen face up to 25 years in prison after being charged with spying on behalf of Canada, the United States and Afghanistan.

Africom Holdings chief executive Simba Mangwende and non-executive director Farai Rwodzi appeared in court yesterday on espionage charges.

They are accused of illegally setting up satellite communication equipment and leaking government secrets to foreign countries.

Oliver Chiku of Global Satellite Systems is also being charged with contravening Section 33 (i) of the Postal and Telecommunications Act that makes it an offence for one to illegally possess, control or work for a radio station.

The allegedly connived to install communication equipment at a yet-to-be-disclosed location and connecting it to the Africom main network system without the authority or knowledge of Africom management and the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.

The State’s alleges that between July this year and Thursday this week, the three sent confidential security information to Canada, the United States and Afghanistan .

The three accussed are represented by lawyers Artherstone and Cook, IEG Musimbe and Wintertons law firms and are currently remanded in custody.

Prosecutor Jonathan Murombedzi appeared for the State, while provincial magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi presided over the matter.

Rwodzi is currently applying for a broadcasting license under the company, AB Communications. Other directors of the firm are journalist Supa Mandiwanzira, Abigail Mvududu, Bruce Mujeyi, Farai Matsika, Trust Dube and Pachawo Chipurira.

Source: Zimbabwe Guardian