JOHANNESBURG
–
Zanu
PF’s
deputy
secretary
for
information
and
publicity
in
Harare
province,
Joachim
Chivayo,
is
wanted
in
South
Africa
after
allegedly
breaching
bail
conditions
in
a
R15
million
gold
case.
South
African
authorities
confirmed
that
warrants
of
arrest
were
issued
on
March
11,
2025,
by
the
Brakpan
Magistrate’s
Court
after
Chivayo
and
his
co-accused,
Brian
Gungwa,
failed
to
return
to
court
and
did
not
comply
with
their
bail
conditions.
Chivayo,
35,
the
younger
brother
to
controversial
businessman
Wicknell
Chivayo,
was
arrested
on
November
26,
2024,
at
Helderwyk
Estate
in
Brakpan.
The
Hawks’
Serious
Organised
Crime
Unit
apprehended
him
and
Gungwa,
a
22-year-old
with
South
African
citizenship,
for
allegedly
possessing
six
unwrought
gold
bars
valued
at
approximately
R15
million.
The
pair
appeared
before
the
Brakpan
Magistrate’s
Court
on
November
28,
2024,
where
each
was
granted
bail
of
R20,000.
Their
release
came
with
strict
conditions:
they
were
required
to
remain
within
Gauteng
province,
and
to
report
weekly
to
the
Brakpan
Police
Station
every
Sunday
beginning
December
1,
2024.
The
matter
was
postponed
to
February
25,
2025,
to
allow
for
further
investigation.
However,
authorities
say
both
men
failed
to
adhere
to
the
bail
conditions
and
did
not
return
to
court
on
the
scheduled
date.
Warrants
were
subsequently
issued
for
their
arrest,
and
they
are
now
officially
listed
as
wanted
suspects.
Chivayo,
sometimes
referred
to
as
Joacham,
was
appointed
Zanu
PF’s
deputy
secretary
for
information
and
publicity
in
Harare
province
in
September
2025.
He
is
also
the
founder
of
ZimSports4ED,
a
Zanu
PF
affiliate
organisation.
He
has
in
recent
months
been
seen
at
Zanu
PF
gatherings
in
Harare,
often
driving
high-end
vehicles.
Allegations
have
circulated
linking
his
lifestyle
to
proceeds
of
gold
smuggling
and
other
illicit
activities.
South
Africa
and
Zimbabwe
regularly
cooperate
on
cross-border
crime
through
Interpol
and
other
extradition
protocols,
raising
the
prospect
of
Chivayo
being
extradited
if
a
request
is
made
by
South
African
authorities.