Suspected former Indian Army officers, who were working in Mozambique’s restive northern Cabo Delgado province, have reportedly settled in Zimbabwe, where they are allegedly working, after posing as “investors” in various sectors of the economy, a file sent to the office said. . The President of the Republic and the Council of Ministers revealed.
NewsDay has learned that the Office of the President and the country’s Immigration Department have since launched a crackdown on the military unit, deporting hundreds of Indians who had sneaked into the country without proper documents.
Former Cabinet Minister and Special Adviser to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Jorom Gambo, confirmed that he facilitated a meeting between the ex-servicemen and the President, adding that this was the only role he played.
“Yes, the Indians have seen the chief. My role was just to facilitate, I work as the president’s secretary. “These guys said they wanted to invest in a brewery, whatever they do next I won’t know,” Jumbo said.
According to the file, one of the former army men, Sudhu Saroop Singh, switched off his mobile phone before NewsDay could get a comment from him.
According to the documents, Singh was granted a temporary permit in July last year.
In the declaration, Singh was registered as an employee of NV Mining in Zimbabwe.
Consular attaché at the Indian Embassy, Rajen Kabu, who refused to comment on the matter, said that the ambassador is in India.
“I cannot comment on this issue. The ambassador is in India. This number is for emergency,” she said.
The Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) has reportedly confiscated two top-end cars used by former Indian soldiers.
The vehicles seized are a white Toyota Fortuner GD-6 (AGA 2524) and a gray Ford Ranger (AGE 2419) with the words ‘Indian Army, Special Forces’ plastered on the backs.
The Toyota Fortuner GD-6 has “We Dare The Impossible” embossed on the top of the rear panel, while the Ford Ranger has a “We Are The Fearless” decal.
CIO sources said the country’s intelligence unit is investigating how the vehicles were imported into the country.
The first port of call where the former Indian soldiers stopped after coming to the country was said to be the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), where they initially sought approval to set up an ethanol plant.
“These individuals made their way into the country after their efforts to end unrest in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique failed,” said a source who shared details and documents supporting their project.
“They got approval, but soon after they proceeded to start seeking financial assistance from the government to set it up, which (Fed Governor John) Mangudya refused,” the source added.
“They are now mining gold, prospecting for lithium, and traveling in branded vehicles indicating that they are indeed members of the Indian Army’s Special Forces.
“Even the CIO is investigating these people because there appears to be no connection between them and any other Zimbabwean authority besides (the aforementioned former minister).
“Their operation here makes it seem as if Zimbabwe has become the Wild West, where all the rogue characters can still come and do what they want, make a living and leave.”
The unit was also accused of illegally supplying sellers across the country with aphrodisiac drugs made in India.
Last Wednesday, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) raided and seized illegal drugs from six shops in Caledonia, near Old Tafara.
Unregistered medicines, expired medicines and even registered medicines being sold illegally in the Gazebo area of Caledonia, Mabvuku have been confiscated.
This raid was conducted in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Narcotics and Narcotics Unit, MCAZ Director General Richard Rukwata said in a statement.
“Today, the Zimbabwe Drugs Control Authority, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Narcotics Section, conducted a successful raid in the Gazebo area of Caledonia, Harare. He said the operation targeted unlicensed shops suspected of unauthorized dealing in medicines and other pharmaceutical products.
Rukwata said the people running the unlicensed shops have been arrested.
He added: “During the raid, six unlicensed commercial stores were searched, which led to the discovery of unregistered medicines, expired medicines, and even registered medicines sold illegally. All the shops were run by unlicensed individuals.
He added: “As a result of our joint efforts, six suspects were arrested, including one of the suppliers of these pharmaceutical products.” Newsday
