Zanu-PF official wanted in South Africa over R15 million gold bust

Zanu-PF's deputy secretary for information and publicity in Harare province, Joachim Chivayo, is now wanted in South Africa after allegedly breaching bail conditions linked to a high-value gold case.

South African authorities confirmed that the Brakpan Magistrate's Court issued arrest warrants on March 11, 2025, after Chivayo, 35, and his co-accused, 22-year-old Brian Gungwa, failed to return to court and ignored bail conditions. The pair had been apprehended on November 26, 2024, at Helderwyk Estate in Brakpan by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Unit for allegedly possessing six unwrought gold bars valued at around R15 million.

Both appeared in court on November 28, 2024, and were granted R20,000 bail each, with strict conditions requiring them to remain in Gauteng province and report weekly to the Brakpan Police Station starting December 1, 2024. The matter had been postponed to February 25, 2025, for further investigations. Authorities say Chivayo and Gungwa failed to comply and did not show up in court, prompting the issuance of warrants for their arrest.

Chivayo, sometimes spelled Joacham, was appointed Zanu-PF's deputy secretary for information and publicity in Harare province in September 2025. He is also the founder of ZimSports4ED, a party-affiliated organisation. In recent months, he has been spotted at Zanu-PF events in Harare, reportedly driving luxury vehicles, fueling allegations linking his lifestyle to gold smuggling and other illicit activities.

South Africa and Zimbabwe maintain active cross-border crime cooperation through Interpol and extradition protocols, leaving open the possibility that Chivayo could be extradited if South African authorities formally request it.