Dumisani Dube, a prominent lawyer based in Bulawayo, was arrested yesterday by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on allegations of involvement in fraudulent activities at a gold mine.
His accomplice, Mohammed Daka, was apprehended on Thursday while attempting to flee to Botswana. Daka is accused of manipulating the Indigenous Law to produce fake documents in a bid to claim ownership of Fools Mine, a gold mine located in the Hope Fountain area, approximately 18 kilometres from Bulawayo.
The two appeared before the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court today, where they were denied bail.
According to reports, Daka allegedly generated a fraudulent board resolution to apply for corporate rescue of the mine and subsequently took over operations from the rightful owners. He and Dube are further accused of orchestrating the arrest of five businessmen on fabricated charges of fraud and extortion.
Daka was initially arrested and appeared in court on July 17, 2024, in connection with these allegations.
Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed Dube’s arrest, stating that ZACC officials brought him to Donnington Police Station. While investigations are ongoing, authorities say both men face serious charges linked to extensive fraudulent conduct.
Fools Mine is known for its rich fine gold deposits, which are primarily extracted through the elution process—an operation that is capital-intensive and requires significant investment in equipment and infrastructure to optimise gold recovery.
Originally owned by the late former Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Shuixing Xu, and Harare-based businessman Mr Wang, the mine’s ownership became contested following Xu’s death. His son, Xiaofei Xu, assumed control of operations but reportedly faced manipulation and intimidation from Daka, a former member of the mine’s management.
Daka is alleged to have coerced Xiaofei into making unexplained payments and falsely claimed affiliation with the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO). The situation escalated to the point of Xiaofei’s deportation from Zimbabwe, which Daka is strongly believed to have orchestrated.
Following Xiaofei Xu’s departure, his legal representative, Mr Marshall Rubvuwe, was granted power of attorney to manage the mine. However, Daka began asserting full ownership, claiming the mine owed him money and fraudulently presenting himself as a 52% shareholder. Using these false claims, he allegedly seized and sold operational assets, including an excavator valued at USD 281,750, a VW Amarok, and two Honda Fit vehicles.
Investigations conducted by this publication reveal that Dube colluded with Daka on April 17, 2024, to draft a fake board resolution and forge Xiaofei Xu’s signature. The forged documents included a general power of attorney signed by Dube in multiple roles—as witness, company secretary, and director.
On April 24, 2024, the pair presented the forged documents to the Master of the High Court and fraudulently secured a corporate rescue order under the name of Fools Mine.
However, records indicate that Fools Mine ceased to exist as a registered entity on February 21, 2022, after investor Mr Wang changed the company’s name to Shenghai. Ownership was transferred to Kai Wen, who remained director until November 27, 2024.
Armed with the fraudulently obtained corporate rescue order, Daka and Dube dismissed the registered owners of the mine, accusing them of extortion—charges for which they were later acquitted in court.
The businessmen wrongfully charged were:
Victor Jaja
Munyaradzi Charakupa
Tawanda Mangi
Percy Pemba
The fabricated charges of fraud and extortion were dismissed after the court found no evidence to support the claims, resulting in their full acquittal.
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