JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – A 33-year-old Zimbabwean man has been arrested by South African police for illegal possession of gold worth R15 million.
Joacham Chivayo, the young brother of controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo, was detained at Helderwyk Estate in Johannesburg on Tuesday while looking for a buyer for the gold, thought to have been smuggled into the country from Zimbabwe.
Police also arrested 20-year-old Ayanda Brian Gungwa, who is described as a South African citizen.
In a statement, South Africa’s special investigations agency, The Hawks, said its investigators “achieved a significant breakthrough in their fight against illegal precious metal trading” with the arrest of the two men.
“On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at approximately 1.15PM the dedicated team executed a meticulously planned operation, leading to the successful arrests of the suspects. The individuals were apprehended while in possession of six bars of unwrought gold, as they were attempting to find a buyer,” the Hawks said in a statement.
“Both suspects have been charged with illegal possession of gold, contravening the Precious Metals Act, Act 37 of 2005. The case has been registered at Brakpan Police Station.”
Chivayo and Gungwa made their first court appearance on Wednesday and were remanded in custody.
The Hawks said it had initiated further investigations to trace the origin of the gold and to identify any additional suspects involved in this illegal trade.
The acting provincial head of the Hawks in Gauteng Brigadier Paulina Sekgobela said: “The Gauteng Hawks remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold the law and protect our nation’s valuable resources.”
Joacham Chivayo is often seen in the company of his famous elder brother, the corruption-accused Wicknell Chivayo.
Videos posted online by the latter often show Joacham driving him around Johannesburg. In one Instagram post after buying him a Mercedes, Wicknell describes Joacham as his “little brother.”
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