Businessman Marconati in movie‑style escape, hands himself to police

Controversial businessman Francesco Marconati spent two days hiding inside a mine shaft in Inyathi before orchestrating a movie‑style escape through a weighbridge, evading police officers who were waiting to arrest him at the main gate.

The getaway vehicle, a Honda Fit, was allegedly driven by one of his attorneys, Tendai Mutiro.

Police had been hunting for Marconati for more than 10 days on fraud charges before he eventually handed himself over in Harare yesterday. He reportedly ran out of options after failing to report to Inyathi Police Station as required under his bail conditions in a separate case involving illegal possession of firearms.

In addition to the new fraud allegations, Marconati now risks having his bail revoked for failing to report as instructed. His lawyer, Mutiro, who allegedly facilitated the dramatic escape at Duration Gold Limited (DGL) 5 Mine, may also face judicial censure for obstruction of justice.

Marconati was arrested after DGL 5 alternate director Yan Bo, representing Ke Wang, filed a fraud report against him and Australian national Mark Andrew Hughes. Hughes was allegedly allocated shares illegally by Marconati following what is described as an unlawful takeover of the mine. Hughes has since fled to South Africa, according to a boarding pass dated 23 January seen by Byo24.

The alleged fraud came to light on 30 December when Bo visited the Registrar of Companies and discovered that Marconati and Hughes had re‑registered the mine, appointing themselves as the sole directors of DGL.

"Such actions by Francesco Marconati and Mark Andrew Hughes amount to fraud," part of Bo's affidavit reads.

Bo stated that at the time of the re‑registration, Marconati and Hughes had failed to enforce a court order under HCBC 9/25, which meant the lawful directors remained Xing Ming Chang, Li Song and Ke Wang. He added that attempts by the pair to amend the court order were withdrawn after failing, and an urgent application under HCBC 659/25 for execution pending appeal was dismissed.

Bo alleges that Marconati and Hughes unlawfully removed the three legally appointed directors despite a pending court case concerning the company's shareholding.

Marconati is expected to appear at the Harare Magistrates' Courts today.

He is already on bail for charges of illegal possession of firearms, some of which were allegedly used to shoot at villagers passing near his mine. The shootings led to his arrest in December, resulting in him spending the Christmas holiday in custody.

Villagers in Inyathi have attempted to protest against Marconati over the shootings, but their demonstrations were twice blocked by police, whom they accuse of protecting him. They claim he has committed numerous acts of violence and intimidation against villagers and mine workers with impunity.