Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. HARARE, Jan. 31 (NewsDay Live) – Lawyers representing businessman Francesco Marconati have complained before Harare regional magistrate Francis Mapfumo that armed police officers carrying AK-47 rifles arrested their client over what they described as a civil dispute.
Marconati appeared in court charged with fraud arising from a shareholding dispute involving Chinese nationals.
He was remanded in custody to today for a bail application.
His lawyers, Chamu Gangata and Bright Mudau, told the court that officers from the Harare CID travelled to Inyathi to arrest Marconati while brandishing AK-47 rifles, an action they said placed his life in danger.
Mudau said a complaint had been lodged with Commissioner-General of Police Stephen Mutamba, who responded by stating that the officers involved were police officials.
Magistrate Mapfumo asked Mudau what relief he was seeking, given that the Commissioner-General had already responded.
Mudau said they merely wanted the issue placed on record for future reference.
Magistrate Mapfumo noted the submission and indicated that the bail application would be heard on Monday.
The complainant in the matter is Yan Bo, a Chinese national appointed as an alternate director of DGL5 (Pvt) Ltd.
According to the State, Marconati, Li Song, Xing Ming Chang, Mark Andrew Hughes and Ke Wang formed DGL5 (Pvt) Ltd in 2017 under the Companies and Other Business Entities Act. The company’s main objective was mining-related activities, including the acquisition and operation of mining claims.
The State alleges that DGL5 (Pvt) Ltd took over Queens Mine through shareholder investments and began operations. On August 4, 2024, Marconati and Hughes, who is now at large, allegedly resigned from the company, leaving it under the control of three remaining directors.
Prosecutors allege that on December 11, 2025, Marconati and Hughes forged company documents and fraudulently re-registered DGL5 (Pvt) Ltd with the Registrar of Companies, appointing themselves as the sole directors.
They are further accused of reallocating company shares in a 60–40 percent split in their favour and appointing Marshall Mangwiro as company secretary or principal officer on December 2, 2025.
The alleged offence was discovered on January 13, 2026, when the complainant reported the matter to police. The State says the complainant suffered potential prejudice amounting to US$1.9 million.
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