Mutoko Regional Magistrates Court convicted Chinese investor Zheng Zhangxian and his company, Reajin Enterprises, for stealing over 5,000 tonnes of gold ore from small-scale miner Emmanuel Ndemera. The court imposed a $3,000 fine and ordered $875,667.67 restitution plus return of stolen materials from the four-year operation in Makaha, Mashonaland East. Reajin operated through Takura Mining Syndicate as a local front while constructing a 75-meter underground tunnel into Ndemera's legally registered Koodoo 83 claim. The stolen ore underwent processing at Zhangveng Milling Plant, which Zheng controlled directly.
Ministry officials confirmed the systematic encroachment began in 2021 despite legal boundaries requiring six-meter safety buffers between claims. Corruption facilitated the scheme when Inspector Antony Singende accepted a $350 bribe before his dismissal and pending criminal charges. The Ministry later declared Zheng's partnership with businessman Vengai Kurarama violated foreign investment laws requiring proper company formation rather than informal syndicate arrangements.
Ministry officials confirmed the systematic encroachment began in 2021 despite legal boundaries requiring six-meter safety buffers between claims. Corruption facilitated the scheme when Inspector Antony Singende accepted a $350 bribe before his dismissal and pending criminal charges. The Ministry later declared Zheng's partnership with businessman Vengai Kurarama violated foreign investment laws requiring proper company formation rather than informal syndicate arrangements.
