By Chipo Gudhe

Chinese owned firm Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments has defied a High Court of Zimbabwe order to stop operations at Donzic 522 Mine in Kwekwe following a fierce ownership and control dispute.

High Court Judge Justice Zisengwe sitting at Masvingo on 13 January 2026 issued a provisional order barring the company from interfering with mining operations at Donzic522 mine.

In a ruling handed down under High Court case number HCMSC 5/26, the court interdicted Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments cited as the first respondent and its agents from laying any claim or disrupting activities at the gold-rich claim allegedly owned by Mhuriyengwe Mining Syndicate.

The order states that “the 1st Respondent and/or its employees, assignees or agents, be and are hereby interdicted from interfering with Applicant’s activities at Donzic 522, Registration Number 18527BM, Kwekwe, Midlands Province.”

Mhuriyengwe Mining Syndicate is run by Austin Maisva, Shakespeare Magadu and Charmaine Mahlatini.

The Provincial Mining Director for Midlands Province was cited as the second respondent in the matter.

The court ruling comes against the backdrop of mounting tension at the mine. On Wednesday 28 January 2026, a Chinese national and a Zimbabwean, allegedly employed by Ming Chang Sino Africa, were arrested by officers from the Kwekwe CID Minerals Department.

The duo was picked up at Donzic 522 Mine after Mhuriyengwe Mining Syndicate accused them of stealing gold ore and operating in direct breach of the High Court order.

The two were expected to appeared before the Kwekwe Magistrates Court on Friday but were released as Ming Chang Board of Directors signed a resolution to have a company representative Praise Mukarati stand on its behalf.

The matter failed to take off at the courts as it was referred back to police for further investigations.