Mashaile urges regional crackdown after Hawks issue warrant for Chivayo

ANDY MASHAILE

HARARE — Retired Interpol ambassador and security strategist Andy Mashaile has called for coordinated regional law‑enforcement action following the issuance of an arrest warrant by South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) for high‑profile Zimbabwean socialite Joachim Chivayo (also known as G6).

The Hawks reportedly issued the warrant after Chivayo failed to appear in a Gauteng court where he faces charges linked to an alleged R15 million gold seizure. The development has prompted renewed calls for cross‑border cooperation to ensure suspects on bail comply with court conditions and to prevent flight from justice.

Background of the gold case and bail conditions

South African authorities say Chivayo and Ayanda Brian Gungwa were arrested on 28 November 2024 during a Hawks operation in Brakpan. The pair were allegedly found in possession of six bars of unwrought gold valued at about R15 million, and a Mercedes‑Benz SUV was seized during the operation. Both were granted bail of R20,000 each, with conditions reportedly requiring them to remain in Gauteng, not to leave South Africa, and to report weekly to the Brakpan Police Station.

Their subsequent failure to appear in court led to the issuance of warrants of arrest, elevating the matter into a potential cross‑border enforcement issue.

Mashaile urges Interpol cooperation and regional follow‑up

Speaking to Independent Online, Andy Mashaile urged Chivayo and others linked to the case to present themselves to South African authorities. He called for cooperation between Interpol’s Central Bureau in Tshwane and its counterpart in Zimbabwe, arguing that regional law‑enforcement agencies should work together to apprehend suspects who cross borders.

“These people are on bail, and the fact that they have skipped bail means there is something to hide,” Mashaile said, adding that the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Unit should be supported in tracking down those who fail to comply with court orders.

He also suggested a broader reset in the criminal‑justice cluster across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to strengthen follow‑up on serious organised‑crime investigations and to ensure accountability.

Questions over identities and public scrutiny

The case has attracted attention partly because of confusion over the identity of Chivayo’s co‑accused. South African court documents list the other suspect as Ayanda Brian Gungwa, a South African national, while some Zimbabwean reports have used different names and nicknames, including Naison Chivayo and Pharaoh. South African authorities have relied on the name recorded in their court papers.

Observers say consistent identification in cross‑border cases is essential to avoid legal and diplomatic complications and to ensure extradition or mutual‑assistance processes proceed smoothly if required.

Political and financial transparency concerns

Mashaile also raised concerns about whether proceeds from alleged illicit gold operations could be used to fund political activity, calling for transparency about the sources of funds linked to individuals facing serious economic‑crime allegations. He urged investigators to trace financial flows and to ensure that any proceeds of crime are identified and recovered through appropriate legal channels.

Next steps and enforcement prospects

With warrants issued, the immediate focus will be on locating the suspects and enforcing the orders. That may involve:

• Interagency cooperation between the South African and Zimbabwean police and Interpol channels.

• Verification of identities to resolve discrepancies in names used in media reports.

• Financial investigations to trace proceeds and establish links to alleged criminal activity.

• Legal follow‑up to determine whether extradition or mutual‑legal‑assistance requests are necessary.

At the time of reporting, neither Chivayo nor his legal representatives had issued a public response to the warrants. South African authorities have not publicly detailed operational steps beyond the issuance of the arrest warrants.

Andy Mashaile calls regional crackdown Chivayo warrant