South Africa's Mashaile calls for regional crackdown on Chivayo

Retired Interpol ambassador and security strategist Andy Mashaile has called for a coordinated regional law enforcement crackdown following the issuance of a warrant of arrest for high-profile Zimbabwean socialite and ZANU PF deputy secretary for information and publicity in Harare province, Joachim Chivayo, also known as G6.

Earlier this week, Independent Online (IOL) reported that South Africa's Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, issued a warrant of arrest for Chivayo after he allegedly failed to appear in a Gauteng court following his release on bail in a R15 million gold case.

The development follows a November 28, 2024 report detailing the arrest of Chivayo and Ayanda Brian Gungwa during a Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation operation in Brakpan. The pair was allegedly found in possession of six bars of unwrought gold valued at approximately R15 million. A Mercedes-Benz SUV was also seized during the operation.

Gungwa's identity has also drawn public scrutiny. South African law enforcement authorities identified him at the time of arrest as Ayanda Brian Gungwa, a South African national. However, some Zimbabwean publications have referred to him as Naison Chivayo, and he is reportedly also known by the nickname "Pharaoh". Despite the differing names circulating online, South African court documents in the gold case listed him as Gungwa.

Mashaile told IOL that Chivayo and others linked to the matter should present themselves to South African authorities. He said that individuals who were arrested and later released on bail are obliged to comply with bail conditions and appear in court.

"I think G6 and his crew, those who were sought and arrested some time back when the Mercedes SUV was taken along with those bars of gold, should present themselves to the South African authorities – the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Unit, which is looking for them. I would present myself if I were them. Remember, these people are on bail, and the fact that they have skipped bail, it means there is something to hide," Mashaile said.

He further called for cooperation between Interpol's Central Bureau in Tshwane and its counterpart in Zimbabwe, suggesting that regional law enforcement agencies should work together to apprehend suspects who cross borders.

"There is no one in the SADC region who will commit crime and think that South Africans will not follow up with the law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice cluster. This is the right time for a reset in the law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice cluster where we need to clean house," he added.

Mashaile also raised questions about whether proceeds from illicit gold operations could be used to fund political ambitions, calling for transparency regarding the source of funds linked to individuals facing serious economic crime allegations.

Chivayo and Gungwa were granted bail of R20,000 each on November 28, 2024, by the Brakpan Magistrate's Court following their arrest. Their bail conditions reportedly required them to remain in Gauteng, not leave South Africa, and report weekly to the Brakpan Police Station.

Their subsequent failure to appear in court led to the issuance of warrants of arrest, escalating the matter into a potential cross-border law enforcement case.