A CHIKANGA man was forced to spit three diamonds he had hidden in his mouth by Minerals and Border Control detectives at 22 Miles Business Centre last week.

Francis Mukandatsama (32) has since appeared before the courts for contravening the Precious stones Act as defined in Section 3 (1) a read with Section 3 (2), Chapter 21:06.

He was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe.

Allegations were that on March 12, detectives received information to the effect that Mukandatsama was in the possession of diamonds which he intended to sell.

Reacting to the tip-off, the detectives teamed up and spotted a Toyota Vits which was parked at 22 Miles Shopping Centre. –  state media