Three Harare Men Jailed For Illegal Gold Mining, Stealing Mining Equipment

Three Harare men, Nelson Mukwazhi (37) of Tynwald North, Takunda Mazambani (35) of Hogerty Hill, Borrowdale, and Tatenda Nhumbe (32) of Masasa Park, have been convicted at Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court for illegal mining and theft of mining equipment.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), in July 2025, the victim had engaged the men to form a mining joint venture. However, no agreement was signed, and she proceeded with her operations independently. Despite this, the trio brought an excavator onto her mine premises.

On 24 July, Mukwazhi and Mazambani falsely claimed they were authorised to carry out mining activities and illegally extracted 28.22 grammes of gold, which they sold in Chinhoyi for US$2,768.

Two days later, the men misled mine security guards into believing they had been given permission to leave the premises. They then stole mining equipment, including a 10,000-litre water tank, and transported it to Mutsvairo Village in the Dema area of Seke. Investigations later led to the recovery of the stolen tank.

The three men were sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, with three years suspended for five years. A further three years were suspended on condition of restitution of US$114,000, meaning they will serve an effective two years in prison.

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