By Patience Gondo
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has warned that anyone found in possession of gold without a valid permit or licence will be arrested and prosecuted in terms of the Gold Trade Act, as authorities intensify efforts to curb illicit dealings in the country’s most smuggled mineral.
In a statement on Monday, Police Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the law, administered by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, empowers them to act decisively without fear or favour against individuals or institutions handling gold outside official channels.
The warning comes after the recent arrest and conviction of Joseph Phiri, who was found with 3,118 grams of gold without the required documentation.
Phiri was sentenced to five years in prison, while the confiscated gold was forfeited to the State.
Nyathi said the public should report anyone trading or possessing gold illegally through the National Complaints Desk or ZRP’s official WhatsApp line, stressing the importance of public cooperation in disrupting the illicit market.
Zimbabwe’s gold sector operates under the Gold Trade Act, which criminalises the possession, transportation or sale of unrefined gold without authorization.
The Act carries mandatory jail terms, and courts routinely order forfeiture of the metal to prevent it from re-entering illegal markets.
Authorities have long used the law to stem gold leakages, as the mineral remains central to the country’s foreign currency earnings.
The warning is being issued at a time when concerns over gold smuggling continue to dominate public discourse.
Independent reports in recent years have linked Zimbabwe to significant losses through illicit gold outflows, prompting government and law enforcement agencies to strengthen monitoring systems.
The establishment of specialized enforcement units, coupled with increased inspections by the police and the Ministry of Mines, forms part of ongoing efforts to formalise the gold value chain.
In several high-profile operations over the past few years, police have arrested groups of illegal gold miners, transporters and buyers found handling gold without permits.
These cases have often highlighted challenges within the artisanal mining sector, where small-scale miners struggle with licensing processes and are frequently targeted by syndicates seeking to exploit regulatory loopholes.
The State has maintained that tightening control within the sector is critical to boosting revenue, improving accountability and safeguarding the economy from smuggling cartels.
The renewed police warning signals continued pressure on illegal gold traders at a time when government is prioritising mineral transparency and improved compliance.
The police are urging citizens to ensure all dealings involving gold are conducted strictly through approved channels, as the nation moves to protect one of its most valuable natural resources from criminal networks and revenue losses.