The rhetoric President Emmerson Mnangagwa that he always preached on every business meetings that “Zimbabwe is open for business” is now a farce as his party members are now invading foreign investments at every opportunity.
Recently, a white businessman was forcibly removed from Chewore Safari Area after a controversial court process widely seen as benefiting powerful and patronage network in Zanu PF.
The eviction of long-time lodge operator Terry William Kelly has reignited debate over state capture, judicial manipulation, and the use of political patronage to appropriate valuable economic assets, exposing how entrenched cartels continue to milk Zimbabwe’s economy through state institutions and the courts.
Kelly (73), a veteran conservationist and tourism investor, poured millions of US dollars into Chewore Lodge and operated the high-end safari destination for more than two decades.
The lodge, located in the Zambezi Valley, attracted international tourists and contributed to conservation, employment, and local development in a fragile ecosystem.
However, Kelly has now lost the property after Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court of Zimbabwe cancelled a 25-year lease agreement, effectively paving the way for politically connected interests aligned to the Zanu PF cartel to take over the conservancy.
The courts, however, later ruled that the lease was invalid on the basis that it allegedly lacked proper approval from the responsible minister. Although the lease document bore the signature of former Environment and Tourism Minister and now Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, and a former ZimParks official confirmed it had been processed through official channels, Muchinguri subsequently denied signing it.
In Matebeleland, Vumbachigwe Mine foreign investors, Forbes and Thompson private limited has filed an urgent chamber application before the High Court for a spoliation against some Zanu PF leaders in Matabeleland South province after they led an illegal mining invasion in mining claims held by the investor.
The illegal miners were led by the local Zanu PF member of Parliament Moses Langa and other party members that included Madodana Sibanda, Raison Mutengeni, Aldonia Gondo, Takeson Moyo and Alot Ndlovu.
These Zanu PF members leading illegal miners fought with Zimbabwe Republic Police and Langa claimed he is a front of a named top Zanu PF leadership member.
The investor in an affidavit supporting the application signed by security manager Musa Amido said the Zanu PF gang forcibly invaded the mining location such that he can positively attest as to what really happened and how all those acting through them misconducted themselves unlawfully and without the consent of the investor to take away the peaceful and undisturbed possession of the mining location in question,
The investor is seeking an urgent chamber application for a spoliation order and relief that the respondents and all those acting on behalf of them be directed to restore their peaceful possession of the mining location, Mining lease 16 which incorporates Vumbachigwe Mine.
Forbes and Thompson private limited has held Mining Lease number 16 since its issuance by the Mining Affairs Board of Zimbabwe on 26 July 1983 and registered under the Mines and Minerals Act of 1964, the lease initially covered 1,036 hectares in the Bulawayo Mining District, with gold as the principal mineral.
The leased area is situated on Vubachikwe Farm and Lot 7A Hamden Place, and the lease incorporated numerous registered mining locations, including Long John Kopje, Magana D.B., and Lady Lina, among others mining lease.
In Matebeleland North, illegal miners invaded Duration Gold Limited 5 (DGL5) mine late last year and that led to tragical end after one of the mining security fatally shot one of the illegal miners that was led by local Zanu PF ward 22 councilor one, Nkomo in Inyathi.
The mine is owned by Italian businessman Francesco Marconati.
After the shooting, the police arrested the suspected shooter who was trying to disperse the crowd who were charging aggressively trying to disarm him and large quantities of gold ore and other items were stolen during the commotion and no arrests were made by the police.
It was alleged Matabeleland North commanding officer Jealous Nyabasa was behind the invasion as he was supporting the grabbing of the mine by harrassing shareholder Francisco Marconati who was later arrested at Nyabas’s instructions.
Marconati was released by the Supreme Court on December 31, 2025 after the Inyathi magistrates’ court and the Bulawayo High Court rejected his freedom bid following his arrest on December 19 on the grounds that he was a flight risk and had a propensity to commit similar offences.
Yesterday police officers battled the illegal miners who are increasingly invading the large part of the mine unabated.
According to the security officials at the mine on Monday at around 2pm, as police officers were dispersing the illegal miners at Mviga mine, local councilor Nkomo had a discussion with gathered invaders and the police ordered them to disperse.
It was alleged that at that time a Zanu PF vehicle branded “Zanu PF Central Committee member” arrived at the scene and one of the occupants asked to see the mine manager.
It was alleged they entered the mine premise and drove around to the mining compounds but they never talked to the mine manager before they left.
“On 28/01/26, at around 1400 hours, as the police were dispersing illegal miners at Mviga, Councilor for ward 22 only known as Nkomo phone number 0779 971 958 and had a small discussion with the gathered illegal invaders.
” He then informed the police that he had come to assess the situation. But he made the following comments “Marconati (Francesco)should give people places to mine” The police warned him to go away and he later left on his bike.
“At around 1801 hours, an unregistered white Zanu pf central committee Isuzu vehicle being driven by one who identified himself as a Minister named P. Moyo, and a white Land cruiser registration number AEX 4284 being driven by one T. Moyo arrived at the farm purportedly looking for the farm manager.
“The guard on duty allowed them inside. They just drove behind the dwelling quarters and went out, without seeing the farm manager. There were three occupants in each of the vehicles,” the source at the mine said.
Another message to the media today said the situation is escalating.
“It appears there are people sponsoring the illegal invaders at the farm, I saw illegal miners receiving money from a lady along the road at the farm. It’s not looking good,” the source said.
According to a reliable source the illegal miners were being sponsored by some Chinese Nationals who are partnering Zanu PF bigwigs on a mine grabbing mission.
