SA businessman nabbed at airport

From The Herald- October 18, 2007

Court Reporter

A SOUTH African businessman was arrested at the Harare International Airport on charges of smuggling three rifles and 108 rounds of ammunition out of the country.

McCallum Douglas Wayne (40) who operates a tour company at Big Five Fly Fishing in Johannesburg was arrested last week on allegations of possessing firearms and ammunition without a certificate.

Wayne who was represented by Mr George Chikumbirike of Chikumbirike and Associates was yesterday granted $30 million bail by Harare magistrate Ms Olivia Mariga that was coupled with stringent conditions.

He was ordered to report thrice a week to the police and to surrender his travelling documents.

Wayne was warned to continue residing in Zimbabwe until the matter is finalised and not to interfere with investigations.

The Herald later learnt Wayne is still in custody, but on an immigration warrant..

Earlier Mr Chikumbirike had unsuccessfully applied for refusal of remand after prosecutor Ms Svodai Kadivirire strongly opposed the application and managed to prove reasonable suspicion that Wayne committed the offence.

On Monday Wayne lost his first bid for freedom before he engaged the services of Mr Chikumbirike.

Ms Kadivirire alleges that on October 12, Wayne checked in at the airport intending to board a flight to South Africa.

While in a South African Airways plane, the state alleges the officers screening his baggage at the screening hall allegedly detected a Sako rifle, Sauer rifle, a Mauser rifle and 108 rounds of ammunition packed in four hardened plastic cases.

This led to the arrest of Wayne aboard the plane.

The trial opens today.