Six armed robbers abandoned their getaway car and disappeared into the bush after it caught fire during a high-speed chase involving mine workers in Mberengwa, police have said.
The men had escaped from Draw Mark 19 Mine with 150 kilogrammes of gold carbon worth US$16,500 when their white Honda Fit collided with a vehicle carrying workers who were pursuing them. The crash took place on Old Bulawayo Road at Mimosa Road Junction, bringing the getaway to an abrupt end and leaving the stolen gold inside the burning car.
The incident happened at about 01:00 on August 30, 2026. The six suspects remain unidentified and were still being sought as investigations continued.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said a security guard noticed an unusual trail leading away from the mine during his patrol. The trail consisted of gold carbon that had fallen from the stolen load as the men made their way towards the parked vehicle.
“Around 01:00 AM on August 30 this year, six unidentified men entered the Draw Mark 19 Mine in Mberengwa and stole 150 kgs of gold carbon valued at US$16,500. A security guard patrolling the area noticed a trail of gold dropping from the mine leading to where a white Honda Fit was parked,” said Insp Mahoko.
The guard moved towards the Honda Fit to investigate. His approach alerted the men, who started the vehicle and sped away. The guard then joined a mine driver in a Honda Fit Shuttle, and the pair followed the suspects along the road.
“When the guard saw the car, he tried to approach it, which prompted the six men to start their vehicle and flee. The guard and a mine driver then pursued the robbers’ car using the mine’s Honda Fit Shuttle,” Insp Mahoko stated.
The chase ended when the two vehicles collided at Mimosa Road Junction. The impact caused the robbers’ Honda Fit to catch fire, forcing the men to leave the vehicle and run into nearby bush.
“During the pursuit, the two vehicles collided, and the robbers’ car caught fire, causing the six men to abandon it and escape on foot into the nearby bush,” Insp Mahoko explained.
Police officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police Zvishavane Traffic section and members of the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit were sent to the scene. They searched the wreckage and recovered the gold carbon from the burnt Honda Fit, which had registration number AFF 6232.
“ZRP Zvishavane Traffic police and members of the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU) then rushed to the scene where gold carbon was recovered from the burnt Honda Fit,” Insp Mahoko added.
The entire stolen consignment was recovered. No portion of the gold carbon was reported missing after the crash and subsequent search of the vehicle.
“All the stolen gold, valued at US$16,500, was recovered,” said Insp Mahoko.
Police are now appealing to residents in Mberengwa and surrounding areas to provide information that could help identify the six men. Their escape into the bush, following the collision, has widened the search beyond the mine and the immediate crash scene.
“We appeal to the public with any information regarding the six robbers to report it to their nearest police station,” Insp Mahoko urged.
The Mberengwa raid came days after another gold-related theft case involving a mine in Inyathi. On August 24, 2026, 26-year-old Panashe Matsvimbo entered Ming Chang Sino Africa Mine carrying a sponge range and began extracting gold ore. Security personnel spotted him and detained him before he could leave the property.
About five kilogrammes of gold ore, valued at US$100, were recovered together with the sponge range. Matsvimbo was taken to ZRP Inyathi, and the ore was later subjected to an assay. The recovered material and the assay report were prepared as exhibits in the case.
Matsvimbo was convicted of contravening Section 379 of the Mines and Minerals Act, read with Section 113 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, in relation to the theft of gold ore. Resident Magistrate Challenge Mahembe sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit an offence involving dishonesty during that period for which he is sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The two incidents show how different types of criminal activity are targeting Zimbabwe’s gold-producing operations. In Mberengwa, a group entered a mine at night, removed a large quantity of gold-bearing carbon and used a vehicle to escape. In Inyathi, a single man was intercepted inside a mine while extracting ore with a hand tool.
A violent raid at Happy Valley C Mine in Bulawayo in August 2025 also resulted in the recovery of gold ore and the arrest of two suspects. Police said five men stormed the small-scale operation, attacked workers and took smartphones, blankets, a solar panel, shoes and groceries from the mine house. Dylan Ndlovu, 26, and Vuyani Ndlovu, 28, were arrested on August 2, while three other suspects remained at large.
Investigators recovered 50 kilogrammes of gold ore, a hammer mill cracker, a baton and several items reported stolen during the raid. The recovery of processing equipment alongside the ore formed part of the police case against the suspects, while officers continued searching for the remaining members of the group.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against crime in the country. The police will ensure that robbery syndicates are brought to justice and the law takes its course without fear or favour,” said Comm Nyathi.
The Happy Valley case followed a major gold convoy robbery in southern Zimbabwe in October 2022. Thirteen suspects attacked the convoy and stole 11.6 kilogrammes of gold worth US$650,000. The attackers first disarmed the security guards, taking their weapons before seizing the gold. A brief exchange of gunfire followed, and one of the robbers was reportedly wounded but escaped with the rest of the group.
The suspects were chased towards the outskirts of Bulawayo, where they dispersed. One of the vehicles used in the attack was abandoned, giving police a lead in the investigation. Three suspects were later arrested: Antony Moyo, 39, Wilson Mutandwa, 24, and Ernest Mutandwa, 30.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Antony Moyo (39), Wilson Mutandwa (24) and Ernest Mutandwa (30),” the statement informed.
The Mberengwa investigation now centres on the burnt Honda Fit, the route taken by the suspects and information from people who may have seen the six men before or after the crash. Police have recovered the gold, but the men who entered Draw Mark 19 Mine remain at large.
Officers are expected to examine the vehicle and other evidence recovered at the scene as they work to establish how the gang entered the mine, whether they had inside information and where they went after abandoning the car. The public has been urged to report information to the nearest police station as the search continues.