In a chilling tale of corruption, intimidation, and injustice, Lubrina Dube, a young nurse aid who joined DGL5 Mine in Bubi, Matabeleland North, in 2022, has been dismissed from her job under questionable circumstances. Her dismissal follows allegations that she exposed a gold smuggling operation at the mine, raising concerns about the deep-rooted illegal activities that continue to plague the mining sector in Zimbabwe.
Lubrina’s journey at DGL5 began when she was hired through a connection with Lawrence Ndlovu Msabayane, the younger brother of Filton Msabayane, the former plant manager at DGL5. Lubrina and Filton shared a long-standing association dating back to her time working at a canteen at the School of Mines. Her connection to the Msabayane family allowed her to navigate through the male-dominated mining industry, eventually securing her position at DGL5.
However, trouble began to brew when Langton Mharira, the former administration manager at DGL5, was transferred to Eagle Italian Shoes amid rumors that he had smuggled six kilograms of gold. Soon after, Ivy Sibanda, the administration buyer, was also dismissed. Bezel Mafu, an artisanal miner known for chasing gold rushes, replaced Mharira as the new administration manager. His quick rise to the position raised eyebrows, as it became clear that Mafu had deep connections to black-market gold buyers. It was Mafu who appointed Lubrina Dube as the new administration buyer, a role that would ultimately lead her down a perilous path.
Mafu’s shady dealings became more apparent with the exposure of a gold smuggling ring at DGL5. A well-known figure in Bubi, Mafu is closely tied to gold buyers in the black market, operating with impunity while funneling precious resources out of the country.
Just last week, a damning article and a documentary revealing the gold smuggling activities at DGL5 was published. Soon after, Lubrina Dube was accused of stealing company money, a charge vehemently disputed by internal sources who claim the real reason behind her dismissal was her involvement in exposing the smuggling ring. According to the sources, Dube had become a liability for the mine’s operators, who were determined to silence anyone threatening their illegal activities.
At the center of DGL5’s corruption is Francesco Marconati, the mine’s controversial owner. Having recently been released from prison, Marconati has resorted to extreme measures to maintain control over his operations. He has been accused of threatening his workers, including an incident where he allegedly pointed a gun at the Chief Financial Officer, Dorcas Sebele, at the Custom Milling Plant. Marconati’s reign of terror does not end there. He has consistently accused top management of stealing his money, while curiously leaving out his son, Alessandro, who was seen fleeing the premises with bags of gold concentrate (malgum) just before a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Marconati has long relied on a network of loyalists, many of whom were once artisanal miners, to run his operations. One of these individuals is Deepa Rana, an Indian woman whose father was a gold buyer at DGL5. Rana, who resides in South Africa and manages businesses there, plays a key role in facilitating Marconati’s gold smuggling network. Alongside Bezel Mafu, Rana’s influence within the mine has allowed the illegal extraction and export of gold to flourish under the radar.
Lubrina Dube’s fate serves as a grim reminder of the power and corruption entrenched in Zimbabwe’s mining sector. Her dismissal, under the pretext of theft, is a stark example of the lengths to which those involved in illegal mining activities will go to silence whistleblowers. As gold continues to be smuggled out of the country, it is individuals like Dube who pay the price for daring to speak out against injustice.
The situation at DGL5 Mine demands urgent attention from law enforcement and regulatory authorities. With Marconati’s unchecked influence, the involvement of black-market buyers, and the complicity of individuals like Mafu and Rana, it is clear that the mine operates in a murky world of illegal activities. Lubrina Dube’s dismissal, rather than being the end of the story, should serve as a catalyst for further investigation into the widespread gold smuggling network that is robbing Zimbabwe of its wealth.
As the country grapples with the consequences of illegal mining, the question remains: How many more whistleblowers will be silenced before justice is served?
