Regional Human Capital Operations Manager – Human Capital x2 (Harare)

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ABAP Developer: Level 9 (Harare)

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Chief Research Officer (Bindura)

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Staff Development Fellow: Department of Veterinary Pathobiology x4 (Harare)

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Team Leader (Mutare)

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Henrietta Rushwaya, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president, faced accusations related to a mine sale involving an Indian investor. She was granted bail of US$500 by a Harare magistrate on Wednesday, as reported by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/miners-boss-henrietta-rushwaya-out-on-us500-bail-after-fraud-charges/">ZimLive</a>.
Following her Tuesday arrest, Rushwaya was released into her lawyer’s custody. The Harare magistrate, Stanford Mambanje, cited the absence of compelling reasons from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to deny her bail. 
She will be back in court on April 10.
According to Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti, on April 2, 2021, Henrietta Rushwaya invited Ashok Jain, the chairman of the NV Group of Companies based in New Delhi, India. The purpose of this invitation was to discuss potential investment in a gold mine located in Umpfurudzi.
It is alleged that Rushwaya was aware of the impending expiration of a special grant issued to her, which was set to lapse on May 2, 2021.
Allegedly, Rushwaya, who had connected with Jain through Asif Adil, informed him that she could facilitate business opportunities in Zimbabwe. These opportunities included ventures related to liquor distribution, establishing a distillery, and setting up an ethanol plant.
According to court proceedings, Rushwaya requested US$35,000 from Jain as a prerequisite for initiating the establishment of his business in Zimbabwe.
Additionally, it is alleged that on October 4, 2021, Jain met Rushwaya in New Delhi, and she received the requested sum of money.
During the same month, Rushwaya extended an invitation to Jain and his son, Varun Jain, to visit Zimbabwe for a business meeting. Said Mutsokoti:
<blockquote>
During that visit, Rushwaya allegedly informed Jain that she had a gold mine in Mashonaland Central which she could sell to him.
She took Jain and his son to Umpfurudzi in Mashonaland Central and showed them the alleged mine which she claimed was rich in gold and was on 420 hectares.
</blockquote>
Allegedly, Rushwaya proposed selling the mine to Jain for a sum of US$350,000. On December 26, 2021, Rushwaya requested the initial payment of US$175,000 from Jain for the mine purchase. This transaction was facilitated by a representative known solely as Richard. Said Mutsokoti:
<blockquote>
On different dates between January 10, 2022, and May 2022, Rushwaya misrepresented to the complainant that she was preparing for mining to resume and she was paid various amounts of money totalling US$615,000 by the complainant when in actual fact she was doing no such process.
On May 12, 2022, she further demanded the second instalment of US$175,000 for the purchase of the Umpfurudzi gold mine and the money was deposited into Relm Mining Syndicate’s CBZ Account 26160480020 and US$3,000 was transferred into her personal CBZ Harare account.
</blockquote>
Rushwaya allegedly provided a fraudulent geologist’s report claiming the Umpfurudzi mine lacked gold deposits, intending to divert Jain’s attention to another mine in Shangani.
Through the continued misrepresentation, Jain was allegedly defrauded of over US$1 million.
Rushwaya is represented by his lawyer Oliver Marwa.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Henrietta Rushwaya Granted US$500 Bail After Arrest On US$1 Million Fraud Charges

Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya has been arrested on allegations related to an undisclosed mining transaction. The police, however, have chosen not to disclose any details until her court appearance. 
On Tuesday evening, Rushwaya was in custody, cooperating with the ongoing investigations.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the national police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/henrietta-rushwaya-arrested/">The Herald</a>: He said:
<blockquote>
We can confirm that Henrietta Rushwaya is assisting police with investigations following a report made by a certain complainant about a purported mining transaction. So far investigations are in progress and these are the details we can release as of now.
</blockquote>
In November 2023, Rushwaya was fined US$5 000 by High Court judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda following her conviction for attempting to smuggle gold worth US$330 000 to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
She was caught red-handed with the precious stones stashed in her handbag at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in 2020.
Justice Kwenda ordered Rushwaya to pay a US$5 000 fine failure of which she will spend 12 months in jail.
<div class="in_article">
<div>
In addition, the judge slapped Rushwaya with 18 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for three years on the condition she does not commit a similar offence during the same period.
Giving his reasons for the lenient sentence, Justice Kwenda said there was no evidence to suggest that Rushwaya was a hardcore criminal. 
In February 2012 Henrietta Rushwaya was arrested on allegations of bribery and match-fixing linked to the Asiagate scandal.
She appeared in court facing 11 counts of concealing transactions from a principal, two counts of fraud and 15 others of bribery involving US$1 million. 
Rushwaya was a central figure in the Asiagate scandal, where she was identified as the “core central point” in a match-fixing network involving referees, players, and journalists.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>
</div>
</div>

Henrietta Rushwaya Arrested

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), has reportedly restored the 100% foreign currency payments to small-scale gold miners, who produce 62% of the country’s gold.
This comes after the RBZ announced late last year that all economic sectors were subject to a 75% uniform forex retention. The central bank said at the time:
<blockquote>
With effect from 1 November 2023, foreign currency retentions on exports shall be standardised at the level of 75% across all sectors of the economy and all special dispensations granted to some sectors of the economy shall be removed.
</blockquote>
Small-scale miners then pressured the RBZ to rescind the policy and resume paying 100% in foreign exchange.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president Henrietta Rushwaya confirmed the latest development to <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/rbz-in-forex-retention-u-turn/">Business Times</a>. She said:
<blockquote>
Small-scale miners have been getting a 100% forex retention threshold all year round in 2023 and we didn’t suffer retention challenges.
There was an impasse for a week but the authorities were quick to resolve it.
</blockquote>
The Gold Miners Association of Zimbabwe CEO, Irvine Chinyenze said the 75% forex retention was going to promote the illicit flow of gold out of the country. He told Business Times:
<blockquote>
There was a danger that smuggling was going to be rampant as miners were going to look for more lucrative markets where they get value for money rather than lose value in the process.
This was going to reduce production at an alarming rate as miners were going to diversify to other sectors that wholly give earnings in US$.
Though we can’t quantify criminality, the country was going to lose over US$2bn in revenues if the current policy direction was not going to be reversed.
This was going to see a great deal of forex being externalised beyond the country’s borders thereby losing massive revenues along the way.
This was going to create an influx of gold mafia gangs as the authorities created a thriving environment for them to smuggle and externalise United States dollars through illicit deals.
</blockquote>
In 2020, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said that Zimbabwe was losing US$100 million worth of gold every month through international smuggling rings.
In 2023, Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit (I-Unit) claimed that Zimbabwe’s government was using smuggling cartels to sell gold worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

RBZ Yields To Small-scale Gold Miners' Demand

<a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Henrietta_Rushwaya">Henrietta Rushwaya</a> is set to continue as Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president after she received the backing of eight provinces within the artisanal and small miners association.
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/rushwaya-retains-miners-federation-presidency-as-provinces-rally-behind-her/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> reported that a meeting held in Harare on 24 November endorsed Rushwaya as ZMF president.
The meeting came after Rushwaya was convicted on charges of attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold out of the country. Read a ZMF memo:
<blockquote>
At a meeting held in Harare on the 24th of November 2023, The Midlands Province led by Chairman Makumba Nyenje, moved a motion to support the Presidency of Henrietta Rushwaya and this was supported by Christine Munyoro from Mashonaland Central.
The Youth and Women represented by Darlington Ndlovu, Mrs J. Mazivazvose respectively and the other six provinces unanimously supported the motion.
Having received such recommendations, the National Executive hereby fully endorses the Presidency Rushwaya as ZMF President.
</blockquote>
High Court judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda fined Rushwaya US$5 000 following her conviction for attempting to smuggle gold worth US$330 000 to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Justice Kwenda ordered Rushwaya to pay a US$5 000 fine failure of which she will spend 12 months in jail.
In addition, the judge slapped Rushwaya with 18 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for three years on condition she does not commit a similar offence during the same period.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Miners Federation Reaffirms Support For Henrietta Rushwaya

Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president, Henrietta Rushwaya, has been fined US$5 000 by High Court judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda following her conviction for attempting to smuggle gold worth US$330 000 to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, reported <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zmf-president-henrietta-rushwaya-escapes-jail-fined-us5000-6kgs-gold-forfeited/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>.
She was caught red-handed with the precious stones stashed in her handbag at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in 2020.
Justice Kwenda ordered Rushwaya to pay a US$5 000 fine failure of which she will spend 12 months in jail.
In addition, the judge slapped Rushwaya with 18 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for three years on condition she does not commit a similar offence during the same period.
Giving his reasons for the lenient sentence, Justice Kwenda said there was no evidence to suggest that Rushwaya was a hardcore criminal. He said:
<blockquote>
We are dealing with the interest of justice. We look at the interest of society and the gravity of the crime committed.
Society has an interest in the sentence because they expect those who commit crimes to be punished… If that person returns a hardened criminal, society does not benefit…
We are satisfied that this offence was planned. There is no evidence to show that this offence was committed as part of an organised crime.
</blockquote>
The judge explained that Rushwaya was a first-time offender and she did not succeed in smuggling the gold. He said:
<blockquote>
We are of the view that a non-custodial sentence of a fine will be appropriate.
She is a first offender and is recognised at law to be entitled to leniency. We are also giving weight to the fact that she is in trouble for a smuggling which did not succeed.
She must be regretting the day she tried to smuggle.
</blockquote>
Commenting on the development, Mt Pleasant MP Fadzayi Mahere posted on X: “Convicted gold smugglers are allowed to go Scot free while Job Sikhala has been languishing in prison for almost 520 days for a crime he didn’t commit. Tirikutongwa nembavha (we are being ruled by thieves)”.
Meanwhile, the Chinhoyi Magistrates Court sentenced three men to two years in jail each for conducting illegal mining activities.
<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/chinhoyi-men-sentenced-two-years-for-illegal-mining/">The Herald</a> reported that Shadreck Dzenge (31) of 1120 Coldstream, Marshal Munyani (29) of Hunyani Compound Farm, and Simbarashe Zata (29) of 1930 Rujeko, all in Chinhoyi were found guilty of carrying out mining activities on a ground without a permit or licence on 06 November.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Henrietta Rushwaya Escapes Jail, Fined US$5 000

A judge set to deliver judgement in Henrietta Rushwaya’s gold smuggling trial was reportedly given a house by the Government last Friday.
<a href="https://www.zimlive.com/henrietta-rushwaya-judge-gets-us400k-house-on-eve-of-sentencing/">ZimLive</a> reported that the transaction was approved by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president’s cousin.
On 01 November, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda found Rushwaya guilty of attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold worth US$330 000 stashed in her handbag through the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in October 2020.
The High Court judge was due to sentence Rushwaya on Friday last week but sentencing was postponed.
The reason for the postponement was that the judge wanted to hear evidence from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) on the potential prejudice the country stood to suffer had Rushwaya succeeded in smuggling out the gold.
ZimLive reported that on that same day the judge postponed judgement, the government finally approved his US$400 000 “loan”.
The so-called loan is a controversial facility which is managed by the treasury on directions from the president’s office.
Reports claim that all judges are expected to get loans to buy houses. The payments have been staggered and some judges are yet to get their houses. Said a source:
<blockquote>
The confirmation (of the payment) was conveyed to the judge in a way that left no doubt that it was Martin Rushwaya’s intervention that speeded up the process.
</blockquote>
The judge’s new house is in the affluent suburb of Chisipite in Harare.
On Tuesday, 14 November, Justice Kwenda again postponed judgement to 2.30 PM on Wednesday after hearing evidence from ZIMRA and RBZ experts who were summoned by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
During cross-examination by Rushwaya’s lawyer Oliver Marwa, all the witnesses said there was no actual prejudice to the state but potential prejudice since the gold was recovered.
Mighty Pavarikanda, who works in the Department of Technical Services, domestic taxes at the ZIMRA head office, said ZIMRA’s royalties were going to be 5% of the value of gold that Rushwaya intended to smuggle to Dubai, which is US$16 652.11.
Pavarikanda also said if it was going to be proved that Rushwaya is a small-scale miner, the potential prejudice would be reduced to US$3 315.42.
Tafadzwa Simon Muvevi from RBZ’s Exchange Control Division said that smuggling has serious effects on the economy including exchange rate instability, and price instability leading to inflation.
Tichafa Chigaba Deputy director analytics, RBZ Financial Intelligence Unit detailed the effects of smuggling but his submissions were dismissed by Marwa as useless in this case.
Whisper Mabhaudhi, representing the NPA, urged the judge to give Rushwaya a custodial sentence, arguing that a non-custodial sentence would trivialise the offence.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Henrietta Rushwaya Judge Given US$400k House On Eve Of Sentencing | Report

Journalist and government critic Hopewell Chin’ono says the conviction of Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Henrietta_Rushwaya">Henrietta Rushwaya</a> on charges of attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold out of the country is a “sideshow” adding that the former ZIFA chief executive officer is part of the powerful “Vene” elite.
“Vene” is a Shona word literally translated as “the owners”, that is the owners of the country and its wealth, and is used to derisively describe Zimbabwe’s ruling elite.
Chin’ono said Rushwata is related to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya.
He argued that it was too early to comment on the conviction as Rushwaya has not yet been sentenced.
Chin’ono suggested that the courts may give her a suspended sentence, and even if she is imprisoned, she may appeal and a higher court could overturn both the conviction and sentence.
Responding to people who had asked him to comment on the conviction, <a href="https://x.com/daddyhope/status/1720092909196935261?s=20">Chin’ono said</a>:
<blockquote>
I won’t comment because we still have to wait for her sentencing.
Will she get a custodial sentence, or she will get a suspended sentence?
After that is done, she will appeal and apply for bail if she gets a custodial sentence.
Will she get bail or she will be denied bail like Jacob Ngarivhume?
Will her appeal in the High Court be successful or not?
Henrieta Rushwaya is part of the powerful ZANUPF “Vene” political elites, it would be unwise for anyone to make any premature pronouncements now before all the above-mentioned processes have played out.
So for now this is a sideshow, it is not worthy of me commenting on it until the whole saga has been played out.
</blockquote>
Earlier this week, Rushwaya was convicted on charges of attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold out of the country.
She was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on 26 October 2020 while trying to board a flight to Dubai.
The gold, which was inside her handbag, was valued at approximately US$333 000.00.
Following her conviction, Rushwaya was remanded in custody to 10 November 2023, for sentencing.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"Henrietta Rushwaya's Conviction For Smuggling A Sideshow"

Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Henrietta_Rushwaya">Henrietta Rushwaya</a> has been convicted on charges of attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold out of the country.
Rushwaya was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on 26 October 2020 while trying to board a flight to Dubai.
The gold, which was inside her handbag, was valued at approximately US$333 000.00.
<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/rushwaya-convicted/">The Herald</a> reported that Rushwaya denied the charge when her trial began at the High Court, last month.
Rushwaya claimed that she mistakenly picked the wrong bag containing gold instead of her own.
Prosecutors alleged that she failed to provide a valid export permit and presented a fake invoice and packing list from a company called Ali Japan 786 (Pvt) Limited.
The former ZIFA chief executive officer was being charged along with two Central Intelligence Organisation operatives Stephen Tserai and Raphios Mufandauya.
Tserai and Mufandauya have since been acquitted due to lack of evidence, at the close of the state case.
Following her conviction, Rushwaya was remanded in custody to 10 November 2023, for sentencing.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F92wnqdX0AAXzDP?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Henrietta Rushwaya Convicted Of Smuggling Gold

The State has finished presenting all the evidence and witnesses in support of its argument that Zimbabwe Mining Federation president, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Henrietta_Rushwaya/">Henrietta Rushwaya</a> attempted to smuggle gold out of Zimbabwe in October 2020.
Rushwaya was officially accused of committing the alleged crime earlier this year (2023), and her virtual trial began last week, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200017138/state-closes-case-in-rushwaya-trial">NewsDay</a> reported.
She was accused of trying to smuggle 6kg of gold worth US$333,042.28 out of Zimbabwe. Last year, she was acquitted in a bribery case related to the same smuggling allegations. Rushwaya defended herself by claiming that she mistakenly picked up a bag containing gold instead of her own.
The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/National_Prosecuting_Authority/">National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of Zimbabwe</a> stated that Rushwaya’s trial at the Anti-Corruption Court in the High Court took place from September 18 to 22 as scheduled. The State alleges that Rushwaya failed to provide a valid export permit and presented a fake invoice and packing list from a company called Ali Japan 786 (Pvt) Limited.
The charges against two other suspects, Stephen Chenjerai Tserayi and Raphios Mufandauya, who were initially arrested with Rushwaya, were withdrawn by the State. Rushwaya is expected to file an application for discharge at the close of the State’s case. If the application is dismissed, she will proceed with her defence and may call witnesses to testify in her favour.
<h3>Some Context:</h3>
Henrietta Rushwaya was arrested at the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Robert_Gabriel_Mugabe_International_Airport/">Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport</a> on October 26, 2020, while attempting to board a flight to Dubai. She was found in possession of a handbag containing 6kg of gold valued at approximately US$333,000. Rushwaya claimed that she had mistakenly taken the wrong handbag, as she owned identical ones. Her lawyer, Peter Patisani, argued that it would be illogical for her to knowingly pass a bag with gold through an X-ray machine. He labelled the arrest as malicious and stated that Rushwaya had offered to retrieve the correct bag from her home in the presence of Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe officials, but they declined.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

State Presents Evidence In Case Against Henrietta Rushwaya For Alleged Gold Smuggling

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) says its president, Henrietta Rushwaya, has nothing to do with an audio circulating on social media platforms purported to be a response to the Al Jazeera documentary, “Gold Mafia” that was broadcast recently.
The documentary identified Henrietta Rushwaya and New-age pastor Uebert Angel as part of a gang of criminals involved in money laundering using their proximity to State power.
Rushwaya is President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s niece while Angel is the Presidential Envoy and Ambassador at Large to Europe and the Americas.
After the documentary’s screening, audio circulating on social media purporting to be that of Rushwaya dismissed citizens’ complaints on the serious allegations made by Al Jazeera investigators. ZMF official Wellington Takavarasha said:
<blockquote>
The ZMF Executive and Management Board is hereby denouncing audio circulation on social media platforms purporting to be that of The ZMF President Henrietta Rushwaya.
The audio is meant to tarnish the image of the ZMF President and that of the organisation.
The ZMF Constitution article 12.1.2 precludes its leadership from actively participating in politics.
The ZMF is an apolitical organisation and you’re advised to disregard that fake, malicious and mischievous audio.
</blockquote>
The audio, which carries a female voice, tells Zimbabweans not to be silly and avoid being used by the West. It said:
<blockquote>
Zimbabweans I want you to know one thing. All the miners sell their gold to Fidelity Printers and Refineries.
So do you expect us to store the gold like dry vegetables when it gets to FPR?
Right now Zimbabwe is under sanctions and we have no access to international markets. How do we sell the gold?
Remember gold is not like tomatoes which are taken to a vendor’s stall. No. It is bought by wealthy people from Dubai.
Talk of the projects being implemented by the government, where do you think all that money is coming from?
Zimbabweans don’t be silly. You are being used by the West. After all, the CCC has begged for the sanctions to stay in place but today you are down speaking the efforts being made for the nation to survive.
</blockquote>
The Chief Investment Officer at the Office of Presidential Envoy and Ambassador at Large (OPEAAL), Sobona Mtisi also issued a statement saying Uebert Angel suspected the undercover Al Jazeera journalists were not genuine investors and used a decoy who posed as Henrietta Rushwaya during the telephone conversations.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Gold Mafia: Miners Federation Distances Henrietta Rushwaya From Circulating Audio

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Henrietta_Rushwaya">Henrietta Rushwaya,</a> the president of the Zimbabwe Mining Federation, is allegedly cleaning US$5 million in dirty money weekly on a rotational basis.
In <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/watch-episode-01-of-al-jazeeras-gold-mafia/">Episode 01 of Al Jazeera’s documentary</a> titled Gold Mafia, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Uebert_Angel">Uebert Angel</a> who is the presidential envoy to the Americas and Europe calls Rushwaya and asks her if she can sell gold to one Mr Stanley who has dirty money. 
Angel says Mr Stanley would send a private jet every week to bring the money and collect the gold, as in another deal Angel and Rushwaya secured in Dubai.
The clients would get 100kgs every week less four per cent from international price. That means they get at a 4% discount.
From one deal brokered by Uebert Angel, the mafia is required to pay U$10 million in dirty cash to Fidelity Printers and Refiners. 
Rushwaya told Angel over the phone that US$5 million will be held at Fidelity for the duration of the relationship between the mafia and Zimbabwe. She added:
<blockquote>
They get gold worth US$5 million every week. They take it out. Bring another US$5 million. If they are bringing US$20 million, US$10 they put into Fidelity.
</blockquote>
This means half of the amount will remain with Fidelity, Rushwaya would clean US$5 million weekly as usual while the remaining US$5 million would be cleaned by one of her companies.
This means the mafia can launder ten million a week. 
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/just-in-zrp-arrests-henrietta-rushwaya-for-trying-to-smuggle-gold/">Rushwaya was arrested in 2020 for trying to smuggle 6 KGs of purified gold</a> out of the country. She was reportedly planning to leave Zimbabwe for United Arab Emirates’ tourist hub Dubai when she was intercepted by law enforcement agents. Rushwaya told Angel over the phone:
<blockquote>
You can easily open an account for them under one of your many companies. We are the only sector in the country that is paying in foreign exchange on cash basis.
</blockquote>
According to the Al Jazeera documentary, the Zimbabwean Reserve Bank is involved in money laundering mainly because the southern African nation is under sanctions.
The governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr John Mangudya recently said <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/there-are-no-sanctions-on-zimbabwean-exports-and-imports-rbz/">there are no sanctions on Zimbabwean exports and imports</a> adding that the southern African nation could export gold freely. 
However, the documentary says gold cannot be traced, unlike cash that why Zimbabwean authorities prefer illicit deals. 
Angel says he has a company called Billion Group which he owns. He says the company is in Zimbabwe, operating in Zimbabwe. He says when individuals with dirty money come, they just approach Billion Group instead of approaching someone they don’t know.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Rushwaya Cleans US$5 Million Dirty Money Weekly - Al Jazeera

People from Mberengwa, Midlands have urged authorities to ensure that they participate and benefit from lithium mining in their area. 
There was recently <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/lithium-rush-in-mberengwa-police-order-miners-to-vacate-the-area/">a lithium rush in Mberengwa</a> with more than 5 000 artisanal miners and fortune seekers, including foreigners, mainly of Chinese and Indian origin, descending on the former Sandawana Mine in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mberengwa">Mberengwa</a>, in search of lithium. Sandawana Mine is in the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) portfolio and has been famed for producing emeralds and other precious stones. 
Lithium is a rare mineral whose production is currently taking place in only eight countries, with 85% of the global supply coming from Australia, Chile and China.
Zimbabwe is the world’s fifth-largest lithium producer. Its lithium output has risen steadily in recent years, producing 1 200 metric tonnes of the metal in 2021.
The government recently <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/police-stop-illegal-lithium-mining-at-sandawana-mine/">stopped all operations</a> in the area to formalise mining.
It is against this background that the people of Mberengwa feel sidelined and now want to be included in all processes. Pindula News presents a summary of Mberengwa Lithium Community Group:
28 November 2022
<h2>Historical Background</h2>
Aware of the current Lithium rush in Mberengwa, and abundant other mineral resources;
Realising that Mbererengwa is a typical case of a resource curse area that has nothing to show for its mineral wealth;
Cognisant of the historical marginalisation of local communities in development when their natural resources are exploited;
Exalting community participation and collective efforts to increase and exercise control over the use of resources in Mberengwa;
Acknowledging the need for an active process whereby Mberengwa communities influence the direction, path and execution of mineral resource benefits rather than merely wallow in poverty, exploitation, penury, underdevelopment of development, and development of underdevelopment;
Recognizing that Mberengwa has a dynamic, tolerant, enthusiastic and versatile human resource and technocrats in every field;
A decision was made to form a lobby group in November 2022 that could collectively navigate the best way forward for deriving inclusive sustainable development from natural resources, particularly Lithium;
The deliberations that ensued in the Mberengwa Lithium Community group are hereby summarised.
<h2>Challenges Faced</h2>
-Lithium mining activities are largely in a Reserved Area including Sandawana Mining Concession Area. No big Lithium Mining Company has a chance of getting mining rights in the RA, thereby leaving selected small-scale miners mining the resource exploited by opportunists (Chinese and Indians)
– Although there are indications of large-scale Lithium resources stretching from the Southern part of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Great_Dyke">Great Dyke</a> in an eastern direction along the Mwezha schist, there has been no Geological Survey to determine the exact quantity of the owe, thereby leaving both govt and local communities at the mercy of capital flight from the resource by stupendous mining capitalists.
– The involvement of Kuvimba Mining Company in the Lithium Mining area around Sandawana lacks clarity.
-The involvement of Chinese and Indians in prospecting for Lithium in Mberengwa is also worrisome.
-The involvement of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Henrietta_Rushwaya">Henrietta Rushwaya</a>-led Zimbabwe Miners Federation is worrisome, let alone her locus standi in parcelling Lithium Mining claims in Mberengwa to her entourage and on partisan lines.
– There has been no engagement with local communities, chiefs, RDC etc in the prospecting and mining of Lithium, let alone in parcelling Lithium Mining claims.
-Current tapping of Lithium resonates with plundering, wrecking, siphoning, looting and primitive accumulation of wealth by people from outside Mberengwa, Chinese and Indians.
– Govts globally have been weak in protecting communities from mining companies’ environmental malpractices.
– EMA has been very weak in enforcing regulations governing the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment.
– There has been environmental degradation of the worst order and destruction of sacred places in Mberengwa.
-Armed robberies and other social ills are also on the increase in the Lithium Mining areas in Mberengwa.
– Weakening of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act (IEE Act 14 of 2007) by the 2018 Finance Act that watered down Community Share Ownership Trusts to voluntary exercise as opposed to the hitherto mandatory 10% of production.
<h2>Legal Framework for Intervention</h2>
There was intense debate over the Legal Framework of Intervention. While some doubted if we had a legal framework
for Intervention, it is noteworthy to consider the following:
– The Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) sections 73 on environmental rights, 264 devolution, 282 (c) on functions of traditional leaders.
– Traditional Leadership Act, Chapter 29: 17, 2016
– Rural District Council Act, 2009
– Environmental Management Act, 2005
– Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, 2018
– Finance Act, 2018
– Mines and Mineral Act
– World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, 1979
– International Council of Mining and Metals, 2017
– African Union (AU) Mining Vision (AMV), 2009
In a nutshell, international, regional and national bodies (and the national Constitution) have come up with Economic frameworks to bolster community benefits from mineral resources around them. Fundamentally, they stipulate that mining firms should contribute to the social, Economic, and institutional development of the communities in which they operate.
<h2>Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs), 2012-2018</h2>
Initiated in 2012 CSOTs were meant to act as vehicles of community development using proceeds from mining activities within each district. Unfortunately, Mberengwa with abundant minerals has had white elephant CSOTs.
The CSOTs were established under the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, of 2007, and subsidiary legislation on the same. Under this legislation, mines were to give at least 10% of the shareholding to CSOTs as representatives of communities surrounding areas of their operations.
The composition of the CSOTs Board of Trustees was as follows:
1) Traditional Chief (who was chair of the CSOTs on an annual rotational basis);
2). Deputy chair, DA (now District Development Coordinator)
3) Secretary, CEO of RDC
4)Trustees
-chairperson of RDC
-District head of the Ministry of youth
-Rep from qualifying businesses
-Rep of local business community
-legal practitioner
-Qualified accountant
-Representatives of Special Interest groups – the youths, women, people with disabilities, and war veterans
It is noteworthy that while this has slackened after the Finance Act of 2018, mines have continued to fund CSOTs on a voluntary basis in other areas such as <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zvishavane">Zvishavane</a>, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mutoko">Mutoko</a>, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Gwanda">Gwanda</a>, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Shurugwi">Shurungwi</a>, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mutare">Mutare</a>, etc.
<h2>Submissions</h2>
It was in light of the foregoing that members from the Mberengwa Lithium Community group suggested that we should:
-Produce a Lithium White Paper that becomes a blueprint for a sustainable and inclusive model for exploiting resources in Mberengwa carrying the local community along with the Transformational Agenda that natural resources should be used for and where everyone must feel the impact of a good investment in Mberengwa District.
-Exploit the existing regulations to advocate for the operationalization of CSOTs in order to balance the interests of local communities and mining companies.
-Harness stockholders like chiefs, RCD, DDC, Mps and technocrats to resist naked exploitation and ensure the operationalization of some modicum of devolution that would allow benefits from mining ventures to benefit local communities.
-Put mechanisms that will ensure we get value for our resources as communities and protect communities from exploitation and revenue leakages.
-Claim rights based on Constitution, Mining laws, environmental regulations and traditional laws as no one will give us rights on a silver platter.
-Establish an organisational institutional framework, viz, formation of a Community Trust mandated and well represented that becomes the engagement/communication channel with miners/investors or operators. It can also champion development and resource distribution in Mberengwa.
-Establish a clear-cut stakeholder engagement matrix in which stakeholders can be identified from local communities, district, provincial and national levels in line with the layered structure of Zimbabwe. Mr Desmond Matete provided a paper that can provide a starting point in this endeavour.
-Lobby govt and in particular Ministry of Mines to carry out a Geological Survey of Lithium resources in Mberengwa. Technocrats from Mberengwa can also join the govt team in the Geological survey in order to establish the quantity of Lithium resources in order for both govt and Mberengwa community to make maximum benefits from Lithium exploitation.
-Lobby for large entities to be allowed to operate in the RA in order to maximise value addition and contribution to Community Share Ownership Schemes and Corporate Social Investments.
– Ensure that communities must be engaged from the exploration stage to development, maturity and decline and closure stages, and their input is seriously considered.
– Mining companies must carry Environmental Impact Assessment before starting to exploit Lithium, and sign a Memorandum of Agreements over sound corporate social development, and environmental and cultural respect.
– Ensure that Lithium Mining companies must build local processing plants so that there is value addition and beneficiation. A win-win investment plan and local processing are a must for development.
– Lobby for a Lithium battery-making company in Mberengwa or Zvishavane as a long-term impact.
– Collectively make sure that the greatest contribution Lithium Mining can possibly make to the development agenda of Mberengwa is skills development and capacity building of the local community which in turn guarantees maximum shared benefits.
– Benefits from Lithium make immerse contributions towards infrastructural development in the areas of education, health, transport, agriculture/food security, livelihoods, water, sanitation etc.
-Lobby the Minister of Mines to stop the machinations and one-armed banditry operations of ZMF and ensure that mining claims are given by a credible board that takes cognisance of the interests of local communities.
– That the best way for the people of Mberengwa is to unite in their diversity in a non-partisan sustainable development modus operandi.
-Hold an all-stakeholder conference at an agreed venue in Mberengwa that would come up with binding resolutions and mandate an inclusive committee to be fully operational and act on behalf of communities in Mberengwa.
-Form various lobby committees with a focus on inclusive sustainable development. Some suggested committees include one comprising some technocrats and MPs tasked with engaging the Minister of Mines over challenges emanating from current Lithium exploitation and the best methods that can accrue benefits from such mining. It is noteworthy that as much as MPs are sponsored by a political party, their mandate as representatives of constituencies goes beyond their parties.
-A mobilisation committee was also suggested, as well as Information Committee to apply the best ways for Mberengwa communities to benefit from natural resources. Other committees will be agreed on soon.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
As resource owners, we should participate in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating, as well as dividends sharing of natural resources in Mberengwa, particularly from Lithium. The government and mining companies must also ensure that a greater share of Lithium resource wealth in Mberengwa is used for social services and development programmes nationally, as well as to directly benefit local communities. Nothing for the people of Mberengwa without their participation and anything about Lithium in Mberengwa without the people of Mberengwa is against us. Our participation and benefit from Lithium mining is a basic human right that must be respected by our govt and mining companies in particular.
Dr <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Takavafira_Zhou">Takavafira M. Zhou</a>, Interim Sec for Mberengwa Lithium Community 
<h2>More Pindula News</h2>

"Our Participation And Benefit From Lithium Mining Is A Basic Human Right" - Mberengwa Community

A South African court has ordered the seizure of 23 pieces of gold, worth R9 million, that were smuggled by a Zimbabwean man, Tashinga Nyasha Masinire, into the neigbhouring country last year.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/10/full-text-gold-smuggler-resigned-as-rushwayas-driver/">FULL TEXT: Gold Smuggler Had Resigned As Rushwaya’s Driver</a></li>
</ul>
The High Court in Joburg granted a final forfeiture order for the contraband which Masinire attempted to smuggle through O.R. Tambo International Airport. Said Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha:
<blockquote>
Nyasha was arrested by members of the Hawks’ serious organised crime with the assistance of customs officials at OR Tambo International (ORTIA) after he landed from neighbouring Zimbabwe.
He consequently appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court facing charges of illegally dealing with precious metals.
The court granted him R100 000 bail, and he has been in attendance since. His next appearance is scheduled for later this year.
</blockquote>
In May, Hawks national spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase said Masinire’s release on bail came with strict conditions. Said Nkwalase:
<blockquote>
Some of the conditions include that he should not leave South Africa, and he also has to report to the nearest police station at least three times per week.
</blockquote>
Masinire was arrested shortly after landing at OR Tambo International Airport.
The SA Revenue Service found 23 pieces of gold in Masinire’s luggage after he was requested to scan it at the international arrivals’ customs section. Added Nkwalase:
<blockquote>
He allegedly failed to declare any items and did not have any permits or licences to be in possession or transport gold, and the Hawks were called to effect the arrest.
</blockquote>
Masinire is a former driver of Zimbabwe Miners Federation President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Henrietta_Rushwaya">Henrietta Rushwaya </a>who was also arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while attempting to smuggle gold. | <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/south-africa-officially-seizes-r9-million-gold-from-zimbabwean-man-who-attempted-to-smuggle-it-24a6db93-a425-4d7b-8d9f-8869856b66b5">IOL</a>

South Africa Officially Seizes 23 Pieces Of Gold From Henritta Rushwaya's Former Driver

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Republic_Police">Zimbabwe Republic Police</a> has been accused of targeting and arresting individuals who commit petty crimes while ignoring “big fish” who are robbing the country of large amounts of money.
While this opinion is not new, it was recently triggered by a police report on the arrest of one Natty Jawi for illegal possession of dagga/mbanje/marijuana/Chamba. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
On 30/08/22, ZRP Karoi swiftly acted on a tip-off and arrested Natty Jawi (25) for unlawful possession of dagga. The suspect, who was aboard a Bulawayo-bound bus, was searched, leading to the recovery of 8.64kgs of dagga in a sack stashed in a monarchy. 
</blockquote>
Some members of the public who responded to the report said Jawi was arrested for a petty crime and was likely to be jailed while those accused of stealing millions of dollars are still roaming around. Said Tsungirirai Valerie @Tsungiriraival3:
<blockquote>
Mungamusungirawo (you arrest him for illegal possession of) 8.64 kgs ko Wadyajena angosiwa wani (was released). Let the man go free please.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Justice_Mayor_Wadyajena">Justice Mayor Wadyajena</a>, a ZANU PF Member of Parliament (MP) for Gokwe-Nembudziya was last week <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/08/17/zanu-pf-mp-justice-mayor-wadyajena-arrested/">arrested and accused of fraud involving US$5.8 million.</a> He only spent two nights in prison before <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/08/18/justice-mayor-wadyajena-granted-200k-bail-in-corruption-case/">he was granted bail.</a> ZACC seized 22 of his trucks pending finalisation of the case. The matter is still in the courts.
 Richard bhunu @BhunuRichard said, “Ma big fish anechimuti haaende kujeri” (elites are not being jailed).
Lacto @CaptainWamba said, “8.64 kgs of dagga and the police make noise about it. Rushwaya was caught trying to smuggle 6.0kgs of 99.9% pure gold but was acquitted of all the charges. Vanhu imi modherera (you’re disrespectful).
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Henrietta_Rushwaya">Henrietta Rushwaya</a>, the president of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on October 26, 2020, just before boarding a plane to Dubai with a handbag concealing 6kg of purified gold worth US$333 000 at the time. She was this year <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/08/11/henrietta-rushwaya-acquitted-magistrate-says-states-case-too-weak/">acquitted of the charges.</a> 
<h2><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

ZRP Accused Of Arresting Those Committing Petty Crimes Leaving "Big Fish"

Varun Beverages on Thursday donated 30 Pepsi push carts to female miners across the country through the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF).
Varun Beverages’ Pepsico franchise in Zimbabwe produces a range of products that include Pepsi, Mirinda, Mountain Dew, 7Up and Aquaclear.
The company is targeting donating 2 000 push carts to various vendors in the country’s rural and mining towns.
Speaking at the launch of the programme in Harare on Thursday, the guest of honour, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said:
<blockquote>
We are here today to witness an empowerment initiative for the women in mines, what is important is that ZMF is not only folding hands but they are digging, taking a loop at what is happening and see how they can make things better for the women in the mining industry, so this occasion is quite momentous for the women in mines.
I want to thank Varun Beverages for this wonderful initiative and I hope that this relationship that has been created can last a lifetime.
</blockquote>
ZMF president, Henrietta Rushwaya, said the relationship with Varun Beverages was just the beginning of future women projects that will be pursued.
Varun Beverages chief executive, Vijay Bahl, said the initiative will go a long way in reducing joblessness in rural areas. He said:
<blockquote>
With the extension of the project, expansion and investments that we have done, we saw that it was very important for us to come up with a model which we said can reach rural Zimbabwe.
Some of the vendors try to sell their drinks and food products from a street corner so we thought that it was better to give them beautiful, good-looking push carts and we got these pushcarts, which we started to roll out in Harare and key cities in Zimbabwe since.
We saw that we can help fight poverty, and unemployment in rural areas, therefore we thought that we needed to go to miners and those in rural areas.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/female-miners-get-push-carts/">H-Metro</a></h4>

Female Miners Get Push Carts From Pepsi

Henrietta Rushwaya has been retained unopposed as president of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), the organisation that represents small-scale miners.
Rushwaya (54), will lead the federation for the next five years after she was unanimously endorsed by all provinces.
In her acceptance speech at a weekend ceremony attended by ZMF patron and Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando, his deputy Hon Polite Kambamura and Minister of State for Mashonaland West Province Mary Mliswa, Rushwaya said:
<blockquote>My fellow miners, the voice of the miners have spoken. A clear victory for me and the rest of the national executive members… I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me.
I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but to unify. I will serve all the artisanal, small to medium scale miners with all my heart.</blockquote>
She used her speech to try to heal the deep divisions within the federation and rally miners to work towards a common vision. Said Rushwaya:
<blockquote>… [it is] time to put away the harsh rhetoric. To lower the temperature. To see each other again. To listen to each other again. To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy. We are not enemies. We are all miners.
We have room for the losers and critics. The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season – a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal. This is the time to heal all the miners.</blockquote>
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/rushwaya-implicated-in-o-r-tambo-gold-smuggling-saga/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">READ MORE: Rushwaya Implicated In O.R. Tambo Gold Smuggling Saga</a>
Rushwaya, a former Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) CEO, has a pending criminal trial.
She was arrested while trying to board a Dubai-bound flight at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport last October and charged with attempted trafficking of 6kg of gold.
ZMF went on to suspend Rushwaya before her reinstatement in February after a national executive meeting declared her removal unconstitutional.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2021/06/14/gold-smuggling-accused-rushwaya-retained-as-mining-federation-boss/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZimLive</a></h4>

Henrietta Rushwaya Retained As ZMF President {Updated}

Official reports suggest that about 23kgs of purified gold was since last year smuggled through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport suggesting the ineffectiveness of the country’s security systems or corruption.
Last year October, it was <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Henrietta_Rushwaya">Ms Henrietta Rushwaya</a>, the president of Zimbabwe Mining Federation (ZMF) who was caught after attempting to smuggle 6kgs of purified gold to Dubai.
Her capture was allegedly after a tip-off by some “disgruntled” personnel within the system.
Only recently, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tashinga_Nyasha_Masinire">Tashinga Nyasha Masinire,</a> a former driver to Ms Rushwaya was intercepted at O.R. Tambo airport in South Africa after passing through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport carrying purified gold worth US$783 000.
Commenting on the development, award-winning freelance journalist, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Hopewell_Chin%27ono">Hopewell Chin’ono</a> suggested that this was just a tip of an iceberg as more volumes of the country’s precious stones are being smuggled out by political elites. He said:
<blockquote>_Robert Gabriel Mugabe International airport is now a huge crime scene! The country is being run by a cartel that allows Gold smugglers to use an international airport to smuggle 23kgs of gold? What are those private planes from Dubai leaving with? The country is in a MESS!_</blockquote>
His views were echoed by MDC Alliance activist <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Pedzisai_Ruhanya">Pedzisai Ruhanya</a> who insinuated that <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/11/19/mnangagwa-urges-african-leaders-to-fight-corruption-in-their-countries/">President Emmerson Mnangagwa-led administration’s rhetoric on fighting corruption</a> lacked concrete action to back it. Ruhanya said:
<blockquote>_New dispensation which allows criminals to smuggle 23KGs of gold using through Robert Mugabe International Airport. After they talk nonsense about fighting against corruption. Asi chii nhai Varakashi!!_</blockquote>
Much more gold and other national treasures are being smuggled through the country’s porous borders with estimates suggesting that gold worth a staggering US$1.5 billion is being smuggled out of the country every year.
This deprives struggling Zimbabwe income and foreign currency which otherwise would have been remitted to the central bank if it had been sold through the formal channels.

<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/11/25/gold-worth-1-5-billion-being-smuggled-out-of-zim-each-year/">Gold Worth $1.5 Billion Being Smuggled Out Of Zim Each Year</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/10/24/watch-usa-lists-issues-zims-missing-us7-billion-couldve-solved/">WATCH: USA Lists Issues Zim’s Missing US$7 Billion Could’ve Solved</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/10/07/treasury-used-10-6-billion-outside-the-budget-without-seeking-approval-from-parliament-biti/">Treasury Used $10.6 Billion Outside The Budget, Without Seeking Approval From Parliament – Biti</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/09/20/zimbabwe-spending-close-to-a-billion-to-import-maize-annually-report/">Zimbabwe Spending Close To A Billion A Year To Import Grains – Report</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/09/10/zimbabwe-is-importing-steel-worth-1-1-billion-per-year-while-zisco-steel-remains-closed-nzenza/">Zimbabwe Is Importing Steel Worth $1.1 Billion Per Year While ZISCO Steel Remains Closed – Nzenza</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/10/o-r-tambo-airport-gold-smuggler-identified/">O.R. Tambo Airport Gold Smuggler Identified</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/10/26/just-in-zrp-arrests-henrietta-rushwaya-for-trying-to-smuggle-gold/">JUST IN: ZRP Arrests Henrietta Rushwaya For Gold Smuggling</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/02/22/update-obert-mpofu-refuses-to-answer-questions-on-missing-us15-billion-in-parly/">Update: Obert Mpofu Refuses To Answer Questions On Missing US$15 Billion In Parly</a></li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

At Least 23kgs Of Gold Smuggled Through Robert Mugabe Airport

The NewsHawks have reported that a Zimbabwean gold smuggler Tashinga Nyasha Masinire who was intercepted at O.R. Tambo on Sunday is the driver of Zimbabwe Miners Federation President Henrietta Rushwaya.
Masinire had gold bars worth US$700 000. We present TheNewsHawks’ Twitter thread below.
Zimbabwean gold smuggler Tashinga Nyasha Masinire arrested at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday with 23 prices of gold worth R11m (US$783 000) is Zimbabwe Miners Federation President Henrietta Rushwaya’s aide and driver.
Masinire was granted R100 000 bail at Kempton Park Regional Court in Joburg today after he was nabbed trying to smuggle the gold. He was remanded out to 1 July 2021, with stringent bail conditions: not leaving SA until the case is concluded and reporting to police 3 times a week.
Well-placed sources say Masinire is the most trusted aide and driver for Rushwaya and ran all her important errands. He used to travel with her everywhere, including when she was campaigning to be the Zimbabwe Miners Federation president.
Rushwaya, who is not only a bigwig, well-connected Zanu PF member, but also President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s niece, was arrested at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare on 26 October last year trying to smuggle 6,09kg of gold worth US$330 000 to Dubai.
Mnangagwa’s wife Auxillia and son Collins were initially implicated in the gold smuggling scandal by some of those who were arrested with Rushwaya. A presidential CIO aide was also arrested, and he was swiftly dismissed.
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<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/09/henrietta-rushwaya-reinstated-as-zmf-president/">Henrietta Rushwaya Reinstated As ZMF President</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/10/29/update-6-more-arrested-over-rushwayas-gold-smuggling/">UPDATE: 6 More Arrested Over Rushwaya’s Gold Smuggling</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/10/29/rushwayas-corruption-case-spills-into-uk-parliament/">Rushwaya’s Corruption Case Spills Into UK Parliament</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/10/26/just-in-zrp-arrests-henrietta-rushwaya-for-trying-to-smuggle-gold/">JUST IN: ZRP Arrests Henrietta Rushwaya For Gold Smuggling</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/09/hawks-intercept-r11-million-gold-bars-from-zimbabwe/">Hawks Intercept R11 Million Gold Bars From Zimbabwe</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/10/o-r-tambo-airport-gold-smuggler-identified/">O.R. Tambo Airport Gold Smuggler Identified</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/10/picture-smuggler-of-us700-000-worth-of-gold-arrested-at-o-r-tambo/">PICTURE: Smuggler Of US$700 000 Worth Of Gold Arrested At O.R. Tambo</a></li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsHawksLive/status/1391734059705962498">TheNewsHawks</a>

Rushwaya Implicated In O.R. Tambo Gold Smuggling Saga

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has approached Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando, who is also the patron of the organisation, over the recently gazetted mining fees which it says are exorbitant.
In a memorandum addressed to ZMF affiliate associations and all stakeholders dated 18 February 2021, ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya said the new fees are too prohibitive for the miners and this may push some of them to venture into illegal mining activities. She said:
<blockquote>The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has noted with concern the newly gazetted prices in accordance with Statutory Instrument (SI) 44 of 2021.
We are treating the matter with utmost urgency and have started engaging The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
The fees are too prohibitive for the majority of our miners and are likely to lead to forfeitures and forcing them into illegal mining activities.
Kindly bear with us as we seek redress from our Minister and Patron Honourable Winston Chitando for a temporary reprieve until an amicable solution is reached.</blockquote>
According to Statutory Instrument (SI) 44 Of 2021, an application for revocation of forfeiture now costs US$ 1 000 while an application for an EPO (Non-refundable) now costs US$2 000.
<a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/S.I.-44-of-2020-Mining-General-Amendment-Regulations-2020-No.-24.pdf">Download Statutory Instrument 44 of 2021 for more on the new mining fees here (PDF).</a>

Rushwaya Engages Minister Chitando Over 'Prohibitive' Mining Fees

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has reinstated Henrietta Rushwaya as its President after she was suspended last year.
Rushwaya was reinstated in a meeting held at Rainbow Towers this Tuesday morning where ZMF members unanimously agreed to reinstate her with immediate effect saying her suspension was unconstitutional.
The Federation stated that the suspension was not lawful and that it is only the duty of the National Executive, not of the General Council (management) to suspend her.
Henrietta Rushwaya has been reinstated forthwith.
Meanwhile, the state is still investigating Henrietta Rushwaya over allegations that she intended to <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/10/26/just-in-zrp-arrests-henrietta-rushwaya-for-trying-to-smuggle-gold/">smuggle 6 kilogrammes of purified gold to the United Arab Emirates.</a>
She was last year caught with the gold at the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Robert_Mugabe_International_Airport">Robert Mugabe International Airport</a> and spent weeks in prison before <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/01/14/henrietta-rushwaya-granted-100-000-bail/">she was released on bail.</a>
More:<a href="https://miningzimbabwe.com/breaking-henrietta-rushwaya-reinstated-as-zmf-president/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> Mining Zimbabwe</a>

Henrietta Rushwaya Reinstated As ZMF President

Stephen Tserayi, Raphios Mufandauya, and Gift Karanda who were implicated in former footballer administrator Henrietta Rushwaya’s gold smuggling case have been granted bail today, The Herald reports.
The trio which had been in custody since last year October was granted $30 000 bail each by Harare Magistrate Ngoni Nduna was given the following bail conditions:
<ol>
<li>To reside at their given addresses</li>
<li>To not visit the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport</li>
<li>To report twice a month to the police</li>
</ol>
Rushwaya was in October last year apprehended at RGM Airport for attempting to smuggle 6KGs of gold to Dubai. A Pakistan businessman Ali Mahomed was also implicated in the same gold smuggling case before they were both granted $100 000 bail.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-rushwaya-accomplices-freed-on-bail/">The Herald </a>

Henriatta Rushwaya Alleged Gold Smuggling Accomplices Out On Bail

High Court judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero on Wednesday threw out a bail appeal by suspended Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president, Ms Henrietta Rushwaya.
Rushwaya is being accused of intending to smuggle six (6) kgs of purified gold to Dubai via the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International airport two months ago.
He other accomplices believed to be part of her gold smuggling syndicate, Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives Raphios Mufandauya, Steven Tserayi, and Rushwaya’s subordinate Gift Karanda were also denied bail.
Rushwaya approached the High Court after Harare magistrate Ngoni Nduna had dismissed her bail application. She appealed at the High Court arguing Nduna had erred in denying the group bail. She said:
<blockquote>The applicant does not harbour any ambition to leave the country as she has serious interests in the land, and upon acquittal, she intends to continue with her mining business as she possesses various business interests that are sounding in real money as she has a special grant in favour of her company and is in partnership with the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation for some serious mining business.</blockquote>
In denying bail to Rushwaya and her co-accused, Justice Chikovero said there was no misdirection in magistrate Nduna’s ruling.
The development was confirmed by Rushwaya’s lawyer Tapson Dzvetero who added that he was “not in a position to give full details now.”
Ali Mohammed, a Pakistan businessman who was also implicated in the foiled smuggle plot is already out on a $100 000 bail.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/188653-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe</a>

High Court Throws Out Rushwaya's Freedom Bid Again

Zimbabwe Miners Federation boss Henrietta Rushwaya has been denied bail again by the High court. According to ZimLive, Rushwaya’s bail appeal at the High Court fell apart and the court did not grant the former football administrator’s request.
Details about the ruling which remanded Rushwaya in custody are still sketchy. We will update this article if new details emerge.
Rushaywa was arrested at Robert Mugabe International Airport for attempting to smuggle over 6 Kgs of gold to Dubai in October and she has been in custody since.
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/zimlive/status/1344194166193086464">ZimLive Twitter </a>

Henrietta Rushwaya Denied Bail, Again

The suspended president of the Zimbabwe Mining Federation, Ms Henrietta Rushwaya has claimed that the courts are discriminating against her after she was denied bail again.
Rushwaya was arrested last month after she was found with a bag containing six kgs of purified gold which the state alleged was destined for Dubai.
The former ZIFA boss disputes the allegations that she intended to smuggle the gold saying she carried the gold by mistake when she actually wanted to carry an identical bag with her clothes.
Through her lawyers, Rushwaya who is in remand prison said a Phakhinstan national should not have been granted bail which she is being denied. She said:
<blockquote>A Pakistani international with an expired VISA gets bail over a Zimbabwean with a fixed abode is discriminatory.</blockquote>
The Pakistanian in question is Mr Ali Mohammed, a licenced gold dealer who was also arrested over the gold smuggling saga and was subsequently granted bail.
Mohammed was arrested after reports which suggested that Rushwaya had implicated him in the alleged foiled smuggling.
He challenged his placement on remand saying he was not at the airport when Rushwaya was arrested but was at his home playing with his children.
Rushwaya is jointly charged with Mohammed, Central Intelligence Organisation officers Raphios Mufandauya and Steven Tserayi as well as her subordinate, Gift Karanda.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/rushwaya-claims-discrimination-after-failed-freedom-bid-attempts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe</a>

Rushwaya Claims Discrimination As She Is Denied Bail

Detained former ZIFA boss Henrietta Rushwaya on Friday told the court that her 6kg gold has lost three grams in weight and also lost 6 per cent of its purity.
Through her lawyer Tapson Dzvetero, Rushwaya also complained that she was subjected to harassment during the time she will be moved from Chikurubi Maximum Prison to Fidelity Printers and Refiners.
The gold is being kept as an exhibit at Fidelity Printers and Refiners and Rushwaya was taken there on November 19, 20 and 23 for re-assay of the gold. Said Dzvetero:
<blockquote>The gold that has been seized from accused and its weight has since varied with three grams.
The purity percentage has materially varied with some blocks ranging from 93 per cent and others now more than 100 per cent.
It is our view that once this gold was taken in the hands of police as exhibit it is now subject to the court’s directive.
She cannot be asked to sign for the gold as it is no longer in her custody. The gold has since lost its purity by 6 per cent.</blockquote>
Rushwaya was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on 26 October and was found in possession of 6kg gold.
She is jointly charged with businessman Ali Muhamad, security agents Stephen Tserai and Raphios Mufandauya, miner Gift Karanda on smuggling.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-rushwaya-claims-gold-being-tampered-with/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Henrietta Rushwaya's Gold 'Losing' Weight & Purity

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, President Mnangagwa, and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister SB Moyo are reportedly locked in a fight over the control of Zim’s gold sector in<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/gold-worth-1-5-billion-being-smuggled-out-of-zim-each-year/"> which about $1.5 million worth of gold</a> is smuggled out of Zimbabwe each year, The Zimbabwe Independent reports.
This was reportedly contained in an International Crisis Group (ICG) report that detailed the power plays the 3 men are playing in a bid to control Zim’s Gold Sector:
<blockquote>On the other hand, artisanal miners are an important constituency in Zimbabwe’s patronage politics, particularly as practiced by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu PF). Several Zanu PF politicians have been fingered as ‘patrons’ of illegally encroaching artisanal miners, or even machete gangs, and some mobilise such groups against rivals.
Some observers contend that ‘whoever controls the gold, will control and rule Zimbabwe’, referring to power struggles between party factions loyal to Mnangagwa, on one side, and his Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, on the other . . . The latter is seemingly positioning himself to challenge Mnangagwa for Zanu PF leadership ahead of the 2023 elections, although another, possibly stronger challenger, Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo, has also emerged.</blockquote>
The report also notes that there are many factors that contribute to the stability in Zim’s Gold sector and open avenues for cartels to control the sector:
<blockquote>Several factors contribute to instability in Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector. A centralised gold buying scheme depresses government gold revenues, encourages smuggling and contributes to industrial mine closures. All gold producers in Zimbabwe, whether artisanal, small-scale or industrial, must, by law, sell to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe via its subsidiary gold buyer, Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR)
This requirement has several deleterious effects on the gold sector. The main problem is that FPR underpays and sometimes pays late for gold. The body pays producers partially in US dollars and partially in amounts of Zimbabwe dollars determined by the official exchange rate.</blockquote>
The report comes a few weeks after former football administrator Rushwaya was caught at Harare trying to smuggle gold out of Zimbabwe amid reports that factionalism in Zanu PF led to her being apprehended at RGM Airport.
More: <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2020/11/27/mnangagwa-chiwenga-sb-moyo-wrestle-for-zim-gold-sector-control/">Zimbabwe Independent</a>

Chiwenga, ED, SB Moyo Fighting To Control Zim's Gold Sector - Report

Simbarashe Nengomasha, popularly known as Madzibaba Simba, was on Friday arrested by alert security at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International (RGMI) Airport while in possession of more than US$10 000.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Act, allows for the repatriation of a maximum of US$2 500.
Zim Morning Post reports that the clergyman was en route to South Africa where he said a church member had died.
Madzibaba Simba alleged that he intended to use the extra money (US$7 500) to cover funeral costs for the deceased church member. He said:
<blockquote>The extra money on me is meant to cover the costs of one of our church members who recently passed on in South Africa.</blockquote>
His arrest comes amid reports by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission that political elites in the country externalised over 7 million United States dollars in the recent past.
The man of the cloth is also arrested barely a week after Ms Hennrietta Rushwaya the President of the Zimbabwe Mining Federation was also arrested at the same airport intending to smuggle 6kgs of gold to Dubai.
More: <a href="https://zimmorningpost.com/smuggling-popular-madzibaba-simba-arrested-at-rgm-airport/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zim Morning Post</a>

Popular Madzibaba Arrested At Airport Over Smuggling

Suspended Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president Henrietta Rushwaya has been cleared of allegations of opening secret Nostro accounts where miners allegedly deposited fees.
An investigation conducted by a special committee set up by the federation established that the former ZIFA boss did not open any Nostro accounts without the knowledge of other ZMF members.
ZMF chairperson Makumba Nyenje on Tuesday confirmed that the probe exonerated Rushwaya of any wrongdoing. He said:
<blockquote>Actually, they are not secret accounts, they are accounts which they opened on behalf of the organisation.
We discovered that they were waiting for other signatories to bring their documents.
It is above board and no money has been deposited into the accounts.</blockquote>
Rushwaya was suspended from ZMF following her arrest at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Monday last week while trying to smuggle more than 6kg of gold worth US$330 000 to Dubai.
She has however claimed that she picked up the wrong bag with four gold bars instead of a similar bag with her clothes when she went to the airport.
During her bail application hearing before Harare Regional Magistrate Ngoni Nduna on Tuesday, Rushwaya also argued that her arrest was being used for political expedience aimed at “soiling’’ the name of the First Family.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/11/probe-exonerates-rushwaya/">NewsDay</a></h4>

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