Lenox Mine ownership wrangle deepens
The issuance of mining certificates to Two Flags, the company at the centre of controversial takeover of Lenox Gold Mine Mashava in Masvingo Province, was irregular after investigators established signatures on the certificates could have been forged.
Two Flags, a company owned by South African miner Mr Leslie Starlin, has been illegally mining at Lenox Mine after the court sheriff ignored an order by Justice Mafusire in April 2017 to evict the company.
Tambanashe, which was illegally evicted from the mine by Two Flags, challenged the eviction, in which the High Court ruled in their favour.
Tambanashe, through their lawyers, wrote to the Registrar of the High Court, requesting the eviction of Two Flags in June 2017 — through a warrant — to give effect to the order.
However, no action was taken by the sheriff as Two Flags continued operating at the mine.
Last week, police launched fresh investigations on the mining ownership wrangle at the gold rich mine amid revelations that Two Flags was holding a fake mining certificate.
Investigators are also keen to establish the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of Tambanashe Enterprises mining certificates, when the original certificates are being held by ZB Bank as security for a loan borrowed by the company.
“We can confirm that CID officers swooped on Masvingo Ministry of Mines (and Mining Development) on Saturday and Sunday checking on transaction records,” said one source familiar with the investigation. “Reports suggest the issuing of certificates to Two Flags was irregular on the back of forged signatures, another source added.
It is also understood that investi gators are also keen to interview Mr Starlin, the man at the centre of the saga. In a related development it is rumoured that the Judicial Service Commission is also investigating on “apparent irregularities” in the conduct of the sheriff in the eviction Tambanashe Enterprise from Lenox Gold Mine.
Tambanashe general manager Mr Edgar Mashindi told The Herald Business yesterday that while investigators continue with their probe, the company was now seeking clarity on their status given the revelations of irregular issuance of certificates to Two Flags.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando could not be reached for a comment by time of going to print yesterday._The Herald