Joacham Chivayo, a 33-year-old from Zimbabwe, and Ayanda Brian Gungwa, a 20-year-old South African, were arrested on Tuesday in Helderwyk Estate, South Africa, during a covert operation conducted by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team. The pair was caught attempting to sell six bars of unwrought gold, valued at around R15 million.
The arrests took place at approximately 1:15 PM, and both individuals face charges under the Precious Metals Act (Act 37 of 2005) for possessing gold without the necessary authorization. Their case has been filed at Brakpan Police Station, and they appeared in court on November 27, 2024, where they were remanded in custody.
Authorities are now working to trace the source of the gold and identify additional individuals involved in the illegal trade. This operation is being seen as a significant step in South Africa’s ongoing efforts to combat illicit activities related to precious metals. The arrest highlights the persistent challenges facing the country in protecting its mineral resources.
In other news, Zimbabwean authorities have invited pro-democracy advocate Namatai Kwekweza to visit the Registrar-General’s Office to receive her new national identity card.
This follows a previous incident in which her lawyers, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), reported that officials at the Civil Registry Department had refused to replace her damaged ID on 30 October 2024. The refusal was based on her being listed on a “Stop List,” which they claimed prohibited her from obtaining a new card.
In response, Kwekweza’s attorneys, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Kelvin Kabaya, sent a letter to Registrar-General Henry Machiri on 14 November 2024, arguing that the denial violated Kwekweza’s constitutional right to a national identity card. They emphasized that even individuals with pending charges or convicted prisoners are entitled to an ID.
The lawyers pointed out that Kwekweza had been acquitted of the charges leading to her placement on the “Stop List” in 2021. The letter demanded that Kwekweza’s ID be replaced within 48 hours, warning that failure to comply would result in legal action, with Machiri personally liable for any unnecessary costs.
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