Human trafficking kingpin arrested

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A Suspected Kuwait human trafficking kingpin has been arrested and is likely to face 27 counts of illegally taking Zimbabwean women to the Gulf country.

A Suspected Kuwait human trafficking kingpin has been arrested and is likely to face 27 counts of illegally taking Zimbabwean women to the Gulf country.

DESMOND CHINGARANDE

James Tungamirai Maroodza appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court on Friday and magistrate Josephine Sande remanded him in custody to tomorrow when the ruling on his bail application will be made.

His court record revealed that his warrant of arrest was clandestinely cancelled on May 19 without the knowledge of the police and Interpol, who have been looking for him for the past two years after he fled the trial.

One of Maroodza’s accomplices has since been sentenced to 50 years in jail for only five counts.

Maroodza is facing eight counts with a possible additional 19 more counts to make them 27.

The court heard that he was arrested on March 15 2016 and was remanded to the next day for bail ruling.

Prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa told the court that after he was granted bail on March 16 that same year, he fled Zimbabwe until his arrest on June 20.