Staff Reporter
A fugitive Chinese national who fled Zimbabwe while facing theft charges is now accused of spearheading a smear campaign aimed at discrediting his former business associates and destabilising a joint mining venture valued in the millions.
Xu Zhixue, who was working for Podhill (Private) Limited, escaped to China earlier this year after he was released on summons by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Gweru.
He had been arrested for allegedly stealing nearly US$4,800 from the company’s Standard Chartered Bank account — an offence recorded under RRB 248/03/25 at ZRP Gweru Central.
Police sources confirmed that Xu vanished shortly after being granted temporary release, failing to appear in court as required.
His whereabouts remained unknown until recently, when his name resurfaced in what industry insiders are describing as a “well-orchestrated campaign” to damage the reputation of Podhill’s majority shareholder, Generous Resources (Pvt) Ltd, and its chairman.
Investigations indicate that the fallout between the chairman and Xu Zhixue — together with Xu’s uncle, Li Yajun — marked the beginning of a bitter feud that has spilled across borders.
Sources close to the matter allege that after leaving Zimbabwe, Xu and Li conspired to fabricate documents suggesting that Podhill had smuggled over 120 kilograms of gold, worth nearly US$10 million, out of the country.
The sensational allegations, which were published in sections of the local media, were reportedly based on AI-generated documents designed to appear authentic.
The purported “evidence” quickly circulated online, raising alarm within the mining industry and prompting a preliminary inquiry by law enforcement authorities — which has since confirmed there is no record of such a smuggling operation.
Podhill (Private) Limited is a joint venture between Generous Resources (Pvt) Ltd (which holds 60 percent of the shares) and Milhub (Pvt) Ltd, which owns 40 percent.
Milhub’s principal shareholders are Mohamad Taleb and Mohamad Karim, both Australian nationals with long-standing business interests in Zimbabwe.
Speaking to this publication, Mr Taleb expressed deep concern over the reputational and financial harm caused by the false allegations.
“I have worked and invested in Zimbabwe for over 20 years, contributing to local employment and development. It is heartbreaking to see malicious lies being spread by people who once benefited from this partnership,” said Taleb.
“The false story has not only disrupted operations but also shaken investor confidence. Our shareholders are innocent, yet we are now battling to repair the damage caused by a fugitive who is trying to settle old scores.”
The controversy has sent ripples through the mining community, with stakeholders warning that such false reports could deter foreign investment in Zimbabwe’s gold sector.
An official close to the Ministry of Mines, speaking on condition of anonymity, said authorities are aware of the misinformation campaign and are working with law enforcement counterparts to track Xu Zhixue’s activities abroad.
“This is a clear case of a disgruntled individual attempting to weaponize fake information. We are treating the matter seriously because it tarnishes the image of Zimbabwe’s mining sector,” the official said.
Meanwhile, police have maintained that Xu Zhixue remains a wanted person in connection with the theft case and could face further charges related to cyber defamation and the dissemination of falsified information.
