By Staff Reporter
Gun toting Zimbabwe Republic Police officers stormed Matabeleland North DGL 5 Mine carrying AK 47 riffles in bid to arrest foreign investor and mine owner Francesco Marconati in a case where former shareholders of the company are fighting their removal.
The police latter arrested the Investor in Inyathi, Matabeleland North before they drove him to Harare where he was brought before the court for allegedly fraud allegations despite the dispute is pending at the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe.
Marconati was remanded in custody to Monday by Harare Magistrate, Francis Mapfumo when he appeared on Saturday morning.
The magistrate refused to hear the bail application saying there is no time.
However, Marconati’s lawyers Chamu Gangata and Bright Mudau submitted complaints against the police before Magistrate Mapfumo for the record.
In his complaints, Marconati asked for protection from Police Commissioner General, Stephen Mutamba saying the conduct of some CID officers are unprofessional.
“We act on behalf of Mr Francesco Marconati and write to formally lodge a complaint regarding the conduct of certain individuals purporting to be members of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), who stormed the premises of DGL Investments Number Five (Pvt) Limited (“the Company”) on 26 January 2026, between approximately 15:30 hours and 19:00 hours.
The lawyers said during their first visit, these individuals claimed to be investigating complaints reportedly made by the Company in respect of its grievances against other people.
“Upon returning on the above date, they stated that their purpose was to locate and arrest Mr Francesco Marconati, a former director of the Company whom we represent.
“Disturbingly, these individuals refused to identify themselves, refused to produce any warrant, and were heavily armed with AK47 rifles. CCTV footage at the premises clearly captures their faces and their handling of firearms.
“The individuals loosely and carelessly searched the Company’s premises, Attempts by one of the legal representatives assigned to the Company to engage with them were futile, as they refused to clarify their purpose or the matter under investigation.
“Although information remains unclear, it is alleged that these individuals intend to arrest Mr Marconati and other undisclosed persons in connection with the affairs of the Company,” the lawyers wrote.
“The purported basis appears to relate to disputes with former Chinese shareholders whose names were removed from the shareholder registry and list of directors a matter currently subject to civil proceedings and pending appeal in the Supreme Court.
The lawyers said the conduct of the individuals above raises serious concerns of threat to life and personal security.
“The display and use of firearms within a corporate environment constitute a clear threat to the lives of the Company’s employees and legal representatives.*
The lawyers said this is an abuse of process and unlawful action.
“The individuals acted without producing any warrant or authority, or identifying themselves, which is contrary to the laws governing criminal procedure in Zimbabwe.
“Interference with lawful corporate operations saying their actions have disrupted the operations of the Company and placed the premises and personnel at significant risk.
The lawyers said this is improper conflation of civil matters with criminal enforcement.
“The matters cited for their actions appear to be civil disputes arising from High Court pronouncements and currently under appeal, and therefore cannot legally justify the extreme measures observed,” they submitted.
They requested that Marconati and other employees at the company be protected as their lives are in danger.
According to the State the complainant in the matter is Yan Bo a Chinese National.
It is alleged that sometime in 2017, the accused person, Li Song, Xing Ming Chang , Mark Andrew Hughes and Ke Wang formed company which they named DGL 5 (Pvt) Ltd and registered it in terms of Companies and other Business Entities Act.
The state alleges that the major object of the DGL 5 pvt Ltd was to carry on the trade or Business of acquisition of Mining claims, processing of Minerals, Mining of Minerals and operation of Mines and or any business usually carried on in connection therewith.
They further alleged that DGL 5 (pvt) Ltd then then occupied Queens Mine through Investments by its Shareholders and began to operate.
The state said on 4 August 2024, Marconati and his accomplice Mark Andrew Hughes who is at large resigned from DGL 5 (Pvt) Ltd and the company remained operating with three other Directors.
It is alleged that on December 11 this year, Marconati and his accomplice who is still at large, forged company documents of DGL 5 Pvt Ltd and re registered DGL 5 (pvt) Ltd with Registrar of companies and appointed themselves as the sole Directors of the company.
The state alleged Marconati and Mark Andrew Hughes then allotted the DGL5 (Pvt) Ltd company shares at a share ration of 60 and 40 % respectively.
Thy said Marconati further appointed Marshall Mangwiro as the Secretary or Principal Officer of DGL 5 (Pvt) Ltd on 02 December 2025.
The state alleges on 13 January 2026, Complainant later discovered the offence and made a police report saying complainant suffered a potential prejudice of US$1 900 000-00.
However, Marconati has challenged the charge saying the shareholding issue has been cleared by the High Court.
The Chinese national, Ming-Chang Sino Africa Mining Investment was booted out of the mining investment agreement by the High Court after they were unlawfully issued allotment of shares of mine.
Marconati had approached the High court seeking an order to rectify the register of shareholding pursuant to an unlawful issue and allotment of shares.
The High Court Commercial Division Judge Justice Bongani Ndhlovu granted the application in favour of Marconati before removing Ming Chang Sino Africa Investment, Fuel Africa and Wang Ke from the mining agreement they had entered.
However aggrieved by the High Court the Complainants hired the police to in bid to grab the mine.
