Inyathi man sentenced for stealing 5kgs of gold ore

Fortune Makoni [email protected]

A 26-year-old Inyathi man, Panashe Matsvimbo, has been sentenced to six months in prison for stealing approximately five kilogrammes of gold ore worth US$100 from Ming Chang Sino Africa Mine.

Matsvimbo was convicted of contravening Section 379 of the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05], as read with Section 113 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act [Chapter 9:23], relating to theft of gold ore.

The court heard that on August 24, 2026, Matsvimbo entered Ming Chang Sino Africa Mine in Inyathi armed with a sponge range and began extracting gold ore.

He was spotted by security personnel at the mine, who apprehended him and recovered approximately five kilogrammes of gold ore and the sponge range.

Matsvimbo was subsequently escorted to ZRP Inyathi together with the recovered exhibits.

The gold ore was subjected to an assay and valued at US$100. All the stolen gold ore was recovered, with the assay report available for production as an exhibit.

Resident Magistrate Challenge Mahembe sentenced Matsvimbo to six months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he does not, during that period, commit any offence involving dishonesty for which he is sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.