Blood gold

Politics
A SCRAMBLE for Goodenough Mine in Matobo district has opened a Pandora’s box

A SCRAMBLE for Goodenough Mine in Matobo district has opened a Pandora’s box with allegations its original owner — a former SAS soldier Robert Alexander Wood (54) — was eliminated with the complicity of his mistress as it emerges the controversy around the gold mine has sucked in prominent Bulawayo lawyer Sindiso Mazibisa.

RICHARD MUPONDE Senior Court REPORTER

Police on Friday confirmed they had launched a probe into allegations Mazibisa defrauded a local businessman Titus Ncube of $400 000 in a botched deal to buy shares from the mine whose original owner was said to be a British spy.

Wood, who owned Goodenough gold mine, was reportedly found hanged in a flat he lived together in with his mistress, Gugulethu Henrietta Dube, but his family suspected foul play as they allege his Zimbabwean girl friend was complicit in his demise, charges Dube vehemently denies.

As mystery and accusations and counter-accuses continue over the death of Woods, court battles have ensured, as several people grapple to lay claim to the gold-rich mine which Dube wants liquidated.

Wood’s family claim the former British soldier was murdered and his will forged in a plot involving his mistress Dube and her boyfriend identified as Bhekithemba Nyoni.

Contacted for comment on the allegations Dube refused to discuss anything about the issue.

“Where did you get my number? I responded to the people who put the allegations forward and I prefer it that way than having to go to the newspapers. There should be no story written about this issue or what I said,” Dube said.

“It’s actually a personal matter. You said you got my numbers from your sources, so you should not write a story about me or I will sue the paper.”

A pathologist said Wood committed suicide and said the cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging.

While Woods’ death remains a mystery, the scramble for the control of the mine has raised eyebrows and many questions as it has sucked in prominent lawyer Mazibisa, the MDC losing candidate for Magwegwe suburb, Bulawayo.

It is alleged Mazibisa was paid $400 000 for 36% shareholding in Goodenough Mine by Ncube, but never got the shares, leading to Ncube reporting the alleged fraud to the police.

Bulawayo police spokesperson, Mandlenkosi Moyo on Friday confirmed that investigations against Mazibisa were complete and the matter was referred to court.

“The matter has been referred to court so I can’t say much,” Inspector Moyo said.

However, at the close of court business of Friday, the lawyer had not been brought to court.

Mazibisa has not been picking his mobile phone since the scandal broke out last week.

Wood’s family claim he was killed so that Dube and her partners could take control of his assets and finances.

In the meantime, Wood’s mistress, Dube, is fighting for the control of the mine and has approached the Bulawayo High Court, leading to the company being placed under judicial management.

According to a High Court provisional order dated November 7 2013 seen by the Southern Eye, the mine Chakata Resources Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd, t/a Goodenough Mine, was placed under judicial management following an application by Dube one of its directors.

Dube has another pending case in the same court in which she is suing Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) and the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board (NIEEB) for reportedly favouring a Mauritius-based company in taking away her shares in the mine and $5 000 allowances at the instigation of one Alecs Mawere.

Mawere is reportedly calling the shots at the mine and is alleged to be enjoying the backing of some people in higher positions.

In her application, Dube claims that she courted Chakata Resources Limited from Mauritius to come and invest in Zimbabwe and registered Chakata Resources (Pvt) Ltd in the country which bought P E Steyn (Pvt) Ltd, a company which owned Goodenough Mine.

She said the company was bought under a loan from Chakata Resources Limited (Mauritius) for $2,1 million payable over five years and she was made one of its directors.

ZIA, NIEEB, Chakata Resources (Zimbabwe) (Pvt) Limited and Chakata Resources (Mauritius) Limited are cited as the first, second, third and fourth respondents.

“A dispute arose after the death of the fourth respondent’s (Chakata–Mauritius) representative in Zimbabwe (Alexander Wood) and after litigation over control, a deed of settlement was concluded and it was agreed that all shareholding and directorship will be finalised in meetings. No effective meeting has been held,” Dube said.

“After the order by consent the fourth respondent’s Zimbabwe agent, one Alecs Mawere has taken over the mine, sought to take away my shares, recall the loan, threatened me and barred me from any activities on the mine. I am literally barred from the mine denied access to production and financial records and denied my agreed $5 000 allowance. Gold is being mined and sold by the foreign investor willy-nilly”.

The family has told a coroner in the United Kingdom that the Zimbabwean authorities who investigated Wood’s death had identified four murder suspects, but refused to co-operate with UK police who had also probed the death.