Armed Zimbabwe Republic Police officers stormed Matabeleland North DGL 5 Mine carrying AK 47 riffles in bid to arrest the foreign investor and mine owner Francesco Marconati in a case where former shareholders of company are fighting their removal. The police latter arrested the Investor in Inyathi, Matabeleland North before they drove him to Harare where he was brought to court for allegedly fraud allegations despite the dispute is pending at the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe. Marconati was remanded in custody to Monday by Harare Magistrate Francis Mapfumo at around 11 am Saturday, be he refused to hear the bail application saying there is no time.
However, Marconati’s lawyers Chamu Gangata and Bright Mudau who submitted complaints against the police before Magistrate Mapfumo for the record. In his complaints Marconati asked for protection from Police commissioner general Stephen Mutamba saying the conduct of some CID officers are unprofessional. “We act on behalf of Mr Francesco Marconati and write to formally lodge a complaint regarding the conduct of certain individuals purporting to be members of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), who stormed the premises of DGL Investments Number Five (Pvt) Limited (“the Company”) on 26 January 2026, between approximately 15:30 hours and 19:00 hours.
The lawyers said during their first visit, these individuals claimed to be investigating complaints reportedly made by the Company in respect of its grievances against other people. “Upon returning on the above date, they stated that their purpose was to locate and arrest Mr Francesco Marconati, a former director of the Company whom we represent. ” Disturbingly, these individuals refused to identify themselves, refused to produce any warrant, and were heavily armed with AK47 rifles.
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CCTV footage at the premises clearly captures their faces and their handling of firearms. “The individuals loosely and carelessly searched the Company’s premises, Attempts by one of the legal representatives assigned to the Company to engage with them were futile, as they refused to clarify their purpose or the matter under investigation. “Although information remains unclear, it is alleged that these individuals intend to arrest Mr Marconati and other undisclosed persons in connection with the affairs of the Company,” the lawyers wrote.
“The purported basis appears to relate to disputes with former Chinese shareholders whose names were removed from the shareholder registry and list of directors a matter currently subject to civil proceedings and pending appeal in the Supreme Court. The lawyers said the conduct of the individuals above raises serious concerns of threat to life and personal security. “The display and use of firearms within a corporate environment constitute a clear threat to the lives of the Company’s employees and legal representatives.*
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