Man Arrested For Mining For Gold In Posh Harare Suburb

A Harare man has appeared in court on charges of illegal gold mining at a house in Marlborough after allegedly digging shafts and conducting blasting operations without the necessary permits.

Chiripayi Chipandire was arrested and charged with contravening the Mines and Minerals Act. He was granted US$500 bail.

Chipandire, who is represented by Tawanda Takaindisa, is also facing charges of acquiring explosives without a valid permit in violation of the Explosives Act, conducting blasting operations without a blasting licence, and prospecting for minerals without a licence.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Chipandire met Douglas Walsh on the streets of Harare in early 2024, when Walsh told him there was hidden treasure at Number 4 Wallington Close in Marlborough.

The court heard that Chipandire initially hired an excavator and started digging along the road near the gate of the property but stopped after complaints from residents.

In October 2024, the State alleges, Chipandire and Walsh approached the owner of the premises, Tinashe Rwodzi, who allowed them to search for the treasure.

Chipandire then brought in his employees and began digging. He was initially given permission to hunt for the treasure by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, with authorisation to blast under strict conditions.

However, in January 2025, residents complained again, prompting the ministry to order him to stop operations.

The State alleges that Chipandire briefly stopped before resuming shaft digging and blasting without ministry approval.

On 17 July 2026, his employees were arrested at the scene while digging, and police recovered explosives, cab fuses, a drill bit, a windlass, rope, a demolition hammer and a bunga made from conveyor belts.

More: The Herald