By Staff Reporter
The Italian businessman and gold miner Francesco Marconati who was remanded in custody by Harare magistrate, Francis Mapfumo on Saturday on allegations of fraud has asked the state to remand him to the next remand date after gathering evidence that there were instructions to keep him in custody.
According to a reliable source the complainants in the matter are name dropping President Emerson Mnangagwa’s son, Emerson Junior is linked in the plot to keep the investor in custody.
However, Marconati’s lawyers have disputed the allegations.
The source however told this publication that Marconati’s bail application was moved to Monday from Saturday after an instruction from controversial Chief Magistrate, Vongai Muchuchuti Guwuriro whose husband is the lawyer for the complainant (Chinese national) in the matter.
It is alleged that Guwuriro’s husband was representing the Chinese National, Ming Chang Sino Africa Investment at the High Court when Marconati was granted an order to re-register the company and remove the complainants as shareholders of the company.
The High Court had ruled that Ming Chang Sino Africa Investment were fraudulently issued shares in Gwampa Mining after failing to pay for the shares.
The High Court later found out that the issuance of shares to Ming Chang Sino Africa Investment was fraudulent and ordered their removal from the company.
However, Marconati fear that any bail application before a Magistrate who is under, Guwuriro would be conflicted to deal with his case hence the decision to remain in custody where he feels safe.
Marconati also disputed claims that he was hiding from police officers in a mine shaft for 10 days, saying his bail conditions for gun violation allowed him to report to the Police every five days and he had not violated any day saying he would have been arrested if they wanted to within those five days.
Marconati was arrested in Harare after he presented himself to the police accompanied by his lawyers.
This was after the armed Zimbabwe Republic Police officers who stormed his Matabeleland North DGL 5 Mine carrying AK 47 riffles in bid to arrest him in the case where former shareholders of company are fighting their removal.
The matter is pending at the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe and his arrest becomes a clear evidence of abuse of office by high ranking police officers.
However, Marconati’s lawyers, Chamu Gangata and Bright Mudau have since submitted a litany of complaints against the police.
In his complaints Marconati pleaded with the court for protection from Police Commissioner General, Stephen Mutamba saying the conduct of some CID officers was 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 say 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 same 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 arrest warrant, and were heavily armed with AK47 rifles. CCTV footage at the premises clearly captures their faces and their handling of dangerous firearms.
“The individuals loosely and carelessly searched the Company’s premises and 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 say the conduct of the individuals 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 added that it is now 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 papers seen by this publication, the complainant in the matter is one, Yan Bo a Chinese National.
