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Zvishavane Man Jailed for Gold Theft at Sabi Mine
A 22-year-old man from Musvuuwa Village in Chivi has been sentenced to 22 months in prison after the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court found him guilty of stealing gold carbons from Sabi Gold Mine, following a March 2025 conspiracy involving former employees who tampered with the mine’s gold recovery system to divert and steal mineral resources.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed that Esau Charumbira committed the offence on 30 March 2025 while acting in collusion with four accomplices. According to the prosecution, the group rerouted a flexible hose pipe used in the gold processing system, diverting gold carbons into a slimes dam, where the accused and an accomplice later collected and removed 19 sacks weighing 20 kilograms each from the mine premises. The stolen gold carbons, valued at US$24,800, were recovered following investigations aided by CCTV footage. Two accomplices have already been sentenced, while two others remain at large. Charumbira was initially sentenced to 30 months, with eight months suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The NPAZ said the conviction demonstrates its continued commitment to protecting national mineral resources and prosecuting offenders without fear or favour, adding that theft and sabotage within the mining sector pose a serious threat to Zimbabwe’s economy and national development.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed that Esau Charumbira committed the offence on 30 March 2025 while acting in collusion with four accomplices. According to the prosecution, the group rerouted a flexible hose pipe used in the gold processing system, diverting gold carbons into a slimes dam, where the accused and an accomplice later collected and removed 19 sacks weighing 20 kilograms each from the mine premises. The stolen gold carbons, valued at US$24,800, were recovered following investigations aided by CCTV footage. Two accomplices have already been sentenced, while two others remain at large. Charumbira was initially sentenced to 30 months, with eight months suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The NPAZ said the conviction demonstrates its continued commitment to protecting national mineral resources and prosecuting offenders without fear or favour, adding that theft and sabotage within the mining sector pose a serious threat to Zimbabwe’s economy and national development.
Published January 29, 2026 at 11:04 AM
