Court Hears Ministry Initially Approved Marlborough Gold Hunt Before U-Turn
A Harare man has appeared in court over alleged illegal gold mining at a house in Marlborough, but court proceedings have revealed an unusual twist. Prosecutors say the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development initially authorised prospecting at the residential property and even granted permission for blasting under strict conditions before later ordering the operation to stop following complaints from residents.
The accused now faces several charges after allegedly continuing the mining activities despite the directive.
Chiripayi Chipandire appeared before a Harare magistrate charged with contravening the Mines and Mining Act and provisions of the Explosives Act. He was granted bail of US$500 (approximately R8,250) while the matter continues before the courts.
Court Hears Ministry Initially Approved Blasting At Marlborough Home
The Herald reports that the case dates back to early 2024 when Chipandire allegedly met Douglas Walsh in Harare. According to the State, Walsh claimed there was hidden treasure beneath a property at 4 Wallington Close in Marlborough.
Prosecutors allege that Chipandire first hired an excavator and began digging near the property’s entrance before stopping after residents objected.
Court papers state that Chipandire and Walsh later approached the property’s owner, Tinashe Rwodzi, in October 2024, who allowed them to search for the alleged treasure.
The State told the court that the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development subsequently authorised the prospecting exercise and approved blasting under strict conditions.
“Initially, they were given a green light to hunt for the treasure by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and permission to blast under strict conditions was given,” the State alleges in court papers.
Residents’ Complaints Led To Ministry Order
According to prosecutors, fresh complaints from Marlborough residents in January 2025 prompted the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to order the operation to stop.
The State alleges that despite the directive, Chipandire resumed digging shafts and carrying out blasting activities without the ministry’s permission.
Chipandire is facing charges of prospecting without a licence or permit, acquiring explosives without a valid explosives permit, and conducting blasting operations without a blasting licence.
Prosecutors further allege that on 17 July 2026, police arrested several of Chipandire’s employees at the property while they were digging shafts. Officers reportedly recovered explosives, cable fuses, a drill bit, a windlass, rope, a demolition hammer and other mining equipment from the scene.
Marlborough Gold Mining Case Heads To Trial
The allegations against Chipandire are yet to be tested in court, and he has not been convicted of any offence. The case has drawn attention because court papers allege that prospecting and blasting activities were initially authorised at a residential property before the ministry later withdrew its approval and ordered the work to stop.
The post Mystery As Ministry Initially Approved Gold Mining At Marlborough Home Before Ordering It To Stop appeared first on iHarare News.
