Bulawayo Project Manager Arrested for Orchestrating Armed Gold Mine Raid

Bulawayo project manager Andrew Munemo has been arrested for allegedly leading an armed gold mine raid near Hope Fountain (image source)

BULAWAYO — A Bulawayo project manager has been arrested for allegedly masterminding a violent armed raid on Inyoka B Gold Mine near Hope Fountain, in a case that has stunned both the corporate and mining sectors. Andrew Munemo (47), of Paddonhurst and employed by Posse Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, appeared before Plumtree magistrate Mr Joshua Nembaware charged with armed robbery. He was remanded in custody to 17 October 2025 and was not asked to plead.

Prosecutors allege that Munemo conspired with two accomplices — Innocent Siziba and Professor Moyo, who remain at large — to seize the mine owned by Pretty Gumbi (61) of Pumula South. In April, the trio allegedly arrived in a white Toyota GD6 and a white Quantum, armed with guns and machetes. They are said to have rounded up mine workers and ordered them aside before firing warning shots when the miners resisted, forcing them to flee.

The gang reportedly took control of the mine and operated it as their own, stealing property valued at about US$5,000, including equipment and personal effects. None of the items have been recovered. Police investigations launched after the mine owner filed a report in Matopo led to Munemo’s arrest on 23 August. His co-accused remain on the run as police intensify efforts to track them down.

Legal analysts have described the case as alarming, given Munemo’s professional background. Advocate Tawanda Moyo said the arrest “highlights the growing trend of white-collar professionals engaging in violent crime — a wake-up call for corporate governance and ethical accountability.” Eyewitnesses described the raid as chaotic and terrifying, saying the attackers moved with military precision.

The incident has reignited concern within Zimbabwe’s small-scale mining sector about rising criminal infiltration and the security risks faced by independent operators. Zimbabwe Miners Federation spokesperson Wellington Takavarasha urged mine owners to tighten security and report threats promptly. State prosecutor Sheilla Nyathi represented the State.

The case has drawn widespread attention, with observers warning that the blending of professional expertise and criminal intent poses a growing threat to the integrity of Zimbabwe’s mining economy.