By Derick Tsimba

Government has warned people against abusing the First Family’s name by some individuals and  groups following the arrest of culprits who attempted gold smuggling.

In a press statement yesterday Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana said, “Reference is made to the recent arrests of several suspects in an alleged case of attempted gold smuggling at the Robert Mugabe International Airport on 25 October 2020. Following the arrests, Government has been made aware that there are some individuals and groups, including one of the suspects in the case, who are abusing the First Family’s name in their illegal activities.

“Police investigations have since established that recent claims by one suspect, Gift Karanda, that members of the First Family are involved in gold smuggling are false and were intended to intimidate law enforcement agencies, thereby, obstructing the course of justice,” he said.

The Secretary for Information reiterated that the President’s scorn for corruption and organised crime. “His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has demonstrated his zero tolerance stance on corruption and organised crime. On her part, the First Lady, Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa has distanced herself and family from any of the suspects involved in the gold smuggling case,” he said.

The Harare Post has learnt that those who try to defeat the course of justice by invoking names of powerful or influential people will face the full wrath of the law.