Former ZANU PF councillor fined $500 for $70--000 gold ore theft

Former ZANU PF councillor fined $500 for $70,000 gold ore theft

By Dumisani Ndlovu

Gweru, - Former Zanu PF councillor Charles Simbi has been fined $500 for stealing gold ore initially valued at $70,298 from a neighbouring mine.

Simbi, director of Block 209 Gold Mine, was convicted of unlawfully removing gold ore from Pretty Polly 33 Gold Mine on October 21, 2023, but sentenced to a fine many consider lenient.

The case against Simbi was built on testimony from Pretty Polly 33 Gold Mine manager Amos Chimba, who estimated the stolen ore was worth $70,298.

However, during sentencing, Magistrate Anold Maburo noted discrepancies in Chimba's testimony, including varying estimates of the ore's value - $70,298, $90,000, and $11,000.

Magistrate Maburo considered Simbi's age, 55, his role as primary breadwinner supporting two spouses, and his directorial position in a company sustaining numerous employees' livelihoods as mitigating factors.

Additionally, medical testimony showed Simbi suffers from hypertension, making him unfit for community service.

The court noted the prosecution failed to present any aggravating factors, particularly in definitively ascertaining the value of the stolen ore.

Magistrate Maburo stated:
"The court should strike a balance and the sentence must be fair to both the state and the accused…

"Imprisonment sentence should be the last option; hence the accused is to pay $500 by September 2025, failure of which he will serve 6 months in prison,"he said.

The fine has sparked public debate, with many questioning the proportionality of justice in high-value crimes and whether the sentence truly reflects the gravity of the offence.