Six Trucks Seized in Bindura Gold Ore Bust as Police Hunt Suspected Kingpin

Police in Bindura have impounded six tipper trucks loaded with suspected illegally mined gold ore from Phoenix Prince Mine, in a major operation targeting syndicates accused of looting resources under Mining Lease 21. The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the seizure followed a coordinated operation by officers in Mashonaland Central, marking one of the most significant crackdowns on illegal mining in the area in recent months.

The case, registered under RRB 6420180, has triggered wider investigations aimed at dismantling networks involved in the alleged illegal extraction and transportation of gold ore.

Authorities say suspected ringleader Sicelo Mbambo, also known as “Stillo,” fled moments before the police raid, leaving behind six truck drivers and a contracted security team at the site. Police indicated that some of those detained may have been unknowingly involved and are assisting with investigations. Mbambo is now the subject of a manhunt, alongside truck owner Stanley Kangoro, with both facing allegations linked to the theft and illegal transportation of gold ore.

Investigators have also turned their attention to Mbambo’s planned 50th birthday celebrations in Zanzibar, scheduled for 5–9 June at Hotel Le Mersenne. Police sources say financial transactions linked to the event are being examined as part of efforts to trace proceeds from the alleged illegal mining operation.

“Follow-the-money investigations are critical in cases like this, especially where proceeds may be externalised,” said a Harare-based financial crimes analyst familiar with mining-related cases.

Preliminary investigations suggest that operations at Phoenix Prince Mine were conducted under an informal profit-sharing arrangement, where artisanal miners allegedly retained 70 percent of the gold while surrendering 30 percent to operators linked to Botha Gold Mine.

Authorities say the arrangement operated outside legal frameworks governing Mining Lease 21, which Freda Rebecca Gold Mine holds under Mutapa Gold Resources. Police allege that Mbambo continued to extract and sell gold ore without authorisation, even after a government-backed moratorium encouraging artisanal miners to regularise their activities.

Investigators estimate that up to 10 kilogrammes of gold valued at more than US$850,000 at current market prices may have been illicitly extracted.

The crackdown follows increased scrutiny of operations at Phoenix Prince Mine after multiple prohibition orders were issued and the death of 26-year-old artisanal miner Tinashe Chauke on April 23, 2026. Mining experts say illegal operations not only deprive the state of revenue but also pose serious safety and environmental risks.

“Unregulated mining leads to fatalities, environmental degradation, and loss of national resources,” said a mining policy analyst. “Crackdowns like this are necessary but must be sustained.”

The seizure of the six trucks is expected to play a key role in tracing the scale of the operation and identifying assets acquired through suspected illegal proceeds. Government officials and local stakeholders have welcomed the police action, describing it as a critical step toward restoring order in the mining sector. Efforts to obtain official comment from ZRP Bindura on the ongoing manhunt, the value of the seized ore, and whether international agencies such as Interpol may be involved were unsuccessful by the time of publication. Investigations are ongoing, with more arrests expected as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle illegal gold mining syndicates in Zimbabwe.

Bindura illegal mining