High-flying Zimbabwean socialite and Zanu PF Harare provincial political figure Joachim Chivayo is wanted by the Hawks in South Africa after failing to appear in court in a R15 million gold case.
Image: Facebook
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed as fake a statement circulating widely on social media concerning high-profile Zimbabwean socialite and Zanu PF Harare provincial political figure Joachim Chivayo and his co-accused Ayanda Brian Gungwa, who is sometimes referred to in Zimbabwean publications as Naison Chivayo and is also known by the nickname 'Pharaoh'.
Chivayo has frequently been seen in photographs travelling alongside super-rich Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and members of his family during social and political events in Zimbabwe. On Facebook, Wicknell has publicly referred to Joachim Chivayo as his “little brother”, a description that has heightened discussion about their closeness.
However, no formal link has been made between Wicknell Chivayo and the South African R15 million gold case, as outlined in court proceedings.
In its statement shared on social media platforms, the ZRP said it had not issued any communication regarding Joachim Chivayo or any member of his family.
“The ZRP advises the public that the police has not issued any statement concerning Joachim Chivayo or any member of Chivayo family. The statement circulating on social media is therefore fake and false. It has nothing to do with the ZRP.
"The law will take its course on individuals or groups spreading false information and committing criminal acts by issuing false statements," the police in Zimbabwe said in a statement signed by national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
National spokesperson of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Image: ZRP
The clarification from ZRP comes as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, this week confirmed to IOL that a warrant of arrest had been issued for Joachim Chivayo and his co-accused, after they failed to appear in a Gauteng court in connection with the R15 million gold case.
As previously reported by IOL, Chivayo and Gungwa were arrested in November 2024 during a Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation operation in Brakpan after allegedly being found in possession of six bars of unwrought gold valued at approximately R15 million. A Mercedes-Benz SUV was also seized during the operation.
South African authorities identified Gungwa at the time of arrest as a South African national named Ayanda Brian Gungwa. However, Zimbabwean publications have often referred to him as Naison Chivayo, and he is also known as “Pharaoh”. South African court documents in the gold case listed him as Gungwa.
Joachim Chivayo and Ayanda Brian Gungwa, identified by Hawks as a South African citizen were arrested in 2024 for possession of gold worth R15 million.
Image: Hawks
Chivayo and Gungwa were granted bail of R20,000 each on November 28, 2024, by the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court following their arrest.
Their bail conditions included that they remain in Gauteng, not leave South Africa, and report weekly to the Brakpan Police Station. Their subsequent failure to appear in court led to the issuance of warrants of arrest.
The Zimbabwe police statement did not address the South African warrant of arrest but warned that action would be taken against individuals spreading false information.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News