Mangudya petition over 'fraudulent' gold deal

Lawyers representing Wan Wenjin Jewellers have called on Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF) chief executive John Mangudya to nullify a gold mining agreement entered into by Allied Timbers boss Remigio Nenzou with a blacklisted individual allegedly purporting to represent the firm.

Documents reveal that Wan Wenjin shareholders are challenging the legal standing of Kennedy Sithole, whom they had barred from representing the company, in entering the mining deal with Nenzou. Allied Timbers is a subsidiary of MIF, which is headed by Mangudya.

In the latest escalation, being investigated by the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit, Wan Wenjin's lawyers formally requested MIF to terminate the agreement between Nenzou and Sithole. They also urged the fund to probe Nenzou's conduct regarding the deal.

A letter dated December 15, copied to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), stated: "We act for the legitimate directors of Wan Wenjin Jewellers (Private) Limited and write concerning a coordinated scheme of fraud, involving your chief executive officer of Allied Timbers, Remigio Nenzou, and Kennedy Sithole, to illegally seize control of our client's company and mining interests. We demand that Mutapa Investment Fund and Allied Timbers immediately interdict the mining agreement dated November 10, 2025; suspend all related operations due to sub-judice and initiate an internal investigation into the conduct of Mr Nenzou."

The lawyers warned that failure to terminate the deal would compel their clients to pursue legal action against both Nenzou and Sithole, including claims for damages, declaratory relief, and reports to anti-corruption authorities.

According to the letter, Nenzou allegedly ignored directives from Wan Wenjin directors that Sithole was prohibited from representing the company, proceeding to sign the contentious agreement. As a result, the directors are demanding details on the quantity of gold mined and sold, and any dividends received by Allied Timbers.

The letter further alleged that Sithole fabricated company registration documents to insert himself and Nenzou into the shareholding structure of Wan Wenjin, which is currently under ownership dispute. It also questions how former Environmental Management Agency vice-chairperson Christopher Chitindi became a shareholder.

Chitindi confirmed his shareholding, saying: "I am a shareholder. I will show you my share purchase agreement. My term ended last year in October and application of EIA [environmental impact assessment] is done with a registered consultant, whom I am not even aware of." He added that he had not received any dividends and was unsure if the mine was operational.

Other shareholders being queried include David Masomere (DJ Masomere), Kings Gold Mining, Tichaona Nyamucherera, Remigio Nenzou, Mugwadi George Brown, and Taurai Huruva.

Sithole, however, maintained that he is a legitimate shareholder and director of Wan Wenjin, stating: "I have represented the company in more than 15 cases so as to protect its interests, including the very claims that have become available after being cancelled."

Mangudya did not respond to inquiries about receiving the letter, and Nenzou also did not comment. Meanwhile, Wan Wenjin shareholders have issued a public notice in local newspapers warning the public and other stakeholders against dealing with Sithole.

Deeds Office records, however, do not list Sithole or Nenzou as shareholders of Wan Wenjin Jewellers, which was incorporated on December 24, 2020 by Chinese national Wan Wenjin and Zimbabwean partner Jonathan Chirawo to pursue gold exploration. In March 2022, the company expanded its shareholding, issuing a total of 500 shares to the consortium.

The dispute highlights ongoing governance and legal challenges surrounding mining deals in Zimbabwe, as authorities investigate potential irregularities in the management and representation of Wan Wenjin Jewellers.