Marconati accuses police of harassment in civil dispute

Lawyers representing businessman Francesco Marconati have raised concern over what they described as a heavy-handed arrest involving armed police officers, telling the Harare Magistrates' Court that their client was apprehended by officers carrying AK-47 rifles over a matter they argue is essentially a civil dispute.

Marconati appeared before Harare regional magistrate Francis Mapfumo facing fraud charges linked to a shareholding dispute involving Chinese nationals. He was remanded in custody to today, with his bail application set to be heard on Monday.

His legal team, Chamu Gangata and Bright Mudau, told the court that officers from the Criminal Investigation Department travelled to Inyathi to arrest Marconati while brandishing AK-47 rifles, an action they said unnecessarily endangered his life.

Mudau informed the court that a formal complaint had been lodged with Commissioner-General of Police Stephen Mutamba regarding the conduct of the arresting officers. According to Mudau, the Commissioner-General responded by confirming that the individuals involved were indeed police officers.

Magistrate Mapfumo asked the defence what relief they were seeking in light of the response from the police chief. Mudau replied that the defence merely wanted the issue placed on record for future reference. The magistrate noted the submission and indicated that the bail application would proceed on Monday.

The complainant in the matter is Yan Bo, a Chinese national who was appointed as an alternate director of DGL5 (Pvt) Ltd.

According to the State, Marconati, Li Song, Xing Ming Chang, Mark Andrew Hughes and Ke Wang formed DGL5 (Pvt) Ltd in 2017 in terms of the Companies and Other Business Entities Act. The company's core business was mining-related activities, including the acquisition and operation of mining claims.

Prosecutors allege that the company later took over Queens Mine through shareholder investments and commenced operations. On August 4, 2024, Marconati and Hughes, who is now at large, allegedly resigned from the company, leaving it under the control of the remaining three directors.

The State claims that on December 11, 2025, Marconati and Hughes forged company documents and fraudulently re-registered DGL5 (Pvt) Ltd with the Registrar of Companies, appointing themselves as the sole directors. They are further accused of reallocating company shares in a 60–40 split in their favour and appointing Marshall Mangwiro as company secretary or principal officer on December 2, 2025.

The alleged offence came to light on January 13, 2026, when Yan Bo reported the matter to the police. Prosecutors say the complainant suffered potential prejudice amounting to US$1.9 million.