Illegal Mining Scandal Erupts in Harare: Foreign Directors Defy Court Orders
Five directors and managers from Beable Investment Private Limited — including three Chinese nationals have been arrested in Harare for allegedly conducting illegal clay mining and brick moulding operations in defiance of a High Court order and multiple environmental directives.
The suspects — Ye Youying (43), Zhou Jiacheng (38), Chen Fengzhou (55), Ndai Mutarabusha (47), and Taurai Pundo (27) were arrested on Tuesday and appeared before Harare magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe on Thursday.
The two Zimbabwean nationals were granted US$100 bail with reporting conditions and surrender of travel documents.
Meanwhile, the three Chinese nationals will remain in prison until Monday as their immigration status is yet to be verified.
Prosecutor Lorrence Gangarahwa told the court that Beable Investment was issued a mining certificate for clay extraction on June 29, 2023, along with an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
However, on October 17, 2024, both certificates were suspended after Umwinsdale residents petitioned authorities, claiming they had not been consulted during the EIA process and warning of irreversible environmental damage.
The prosecution alleged that despite the suspension, the company continued operating at full scale, disregarding the official orders.
Detective Sergeant Guidemore Saruchera from CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna stated in ZRP Form 242 DR 29/10/25 that the three Chinese nationals had not yet submitted formal identification documents.
He indicated that their details would be verified with Interpol and the Department of Immigration.
On August 24, 2025, Elene Athina Bruggisser, secretary of Marimba Residential Properties Limited, reported to police that Beable Investments had violated a High Court provisional order dated June 27, 2025.
The order prohibited the company from continuing clay extraction and brick moulding activities on land at Springs Farm, which is registered under Marimba Residential Properties.
Further investigations revealed that Beable Investments had received multiple directives to halt operations.
On October 17, 2024, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development nullified the company’s mining certificate (ME2064BM), while EMA issued a separate stop-work order.
A follow-up letter from EMA on February 3, 2025, reiterated the directive, demanding proof of a valid land lease before any operations could resume.
Authorities allege that the accused continued operating in defiance of both the High Court and regulatory bodies.
They are believed to have conspired with another Chinese national, Lin Weilan — who is currently on the run — to continue extracting clay and moulding bricks at the disputed site.
As reported by ManicaPost, the matter has been referred to the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit for further investigation.
The suspects face charges of illegal mining, environmental violations, and contempt of court.
