Korzim Strategic Minerals has been found guilty of contempt of court by the High Court for filing false reports against Canterbury Mining (Private) Limited, a Dutch-owned mining company that has invested over USD 25 million in Zimbabwe since answering President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call that “Zimbabwe is open for business.
“Despite a December 2025 High Court declaratory order nullifying Korzim’s mining claims and declaring Canterbury the lawful owner of mining operations in Shamva, court records show that Korzim continued to frustrate the foreign investor, culminating in a contempt ruling against them on 28 July 2026.
In a stinging rebuke, Justice Munangati-Manongwa found Korzim Strategic Minerals (Pvt) Ltd guilty of contempt of court under Case No. HCH547/26.
The order reads:
“The Respondent, Korzim Strategic Minerals (Pvt) Ltd, is found guilty of contempt of court.”
The court further ordered Korzim to pay a fine of US$4,000 through the Registrar’s office by 31 July 2026 and to cover Canterbury’s legal costs on a client-attorney scale.
The contempt ruling came seven months after Justice Tsanga issued a declaratory order on 10 December 2025 under Case No. HCH4776/25, which definitively resolved the mining claims dispute in Canterbury’s favour.
The December order declared “Canterbury Mining (Pvt) Ltd company be and is hereby declared the owner of 100% shares in certain mining claims called Dennis Registration N0.33970 BM, Dennis Registration No. 33971 BM and Shamva 154-5 situate on Lot 1of New Brixton Farm, Shamva.”
Critically, the court “declared null and void” the registration of Korzim’s claims, New Brixton 100 and New Brixton 101.
Justice Tsanga also restrained Korzim from interfering with Canterbury’s operations and ordered Korzim to pay costs of suit.Despite the clear court orders, Canterbury alleges that officers from the Criminal Investigations Department Commercial Crimes Division Harare Unit, under Superintendent Dzimbanhete and Detective Assistant Inspector Chiripano, have been harassing the investor at the behest of the losing litigant.
In a formal complaint dated 27 July 2026 addressed to the Commissioner General of Police, Canterbury Mining Pvt Ltd detailed the harassment:
“Despite not charging Canterbury Mining and without recording any warned and cautioned statement, Superintendent Dzimbanhete and Detective Assistant Inspector Chiripano of the CID CCD Harare Unit contacted Canterbury Mining’s legal counsel and advised that Canterbury Mining is required to attend Rotten Row Criminal Court on 28 July 2026.”
Curiously Dzimbanhete was recently transferred from MFFU Mashonaland Central where he was aware of the company’s production earnings and appears to be working on the matter from Harare.
The accused police officers referred questions to ZRP national spokesperson Paul Nyathi who said, “he was not privy with the matter and promised to get more details.”
Canterbury’s legal representatives questioned the legality of demanding an uncharged person to appear in court.
The complaint states: “Why would an uncharged person without a single statement recorded from them be required to be in a criminal court. How is the docket compiled and how is the investigation conducted, how will the vetting even take place.”
The complaint added: “These senior such police officers know best procedure to having one before the court and to just require one to be before a criminal court because you are a police officer is very untoward of Detective Assistant Inspector Chiripano who appears to have been assigned to harass investors until they are frustrated and leave the country.
Unfortunately this would never happen. We have absolute confidence in the able leadership of His Excellency Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and wish to bring this to your attention as your institution complements government’s efforts to boost foreign investment.
“The Dutch-owned company, which has invested in excess of USD 25 million in mining equipment in Shamva District and built a USD 1.2 million state-of-the-art school, Zvitokwe Primary School, for the local community, expressed grave concern about the treatment it has received despite having subsisting court orders.
“Canterbury Mining is the party entitled to police protection and assistance. We hold a declaratory order in our favour and a contempt of court order against Korzim Strategic Minerals. For ZRP to give audience to a party found in contempt by the High Court, while ignoring subsisting court orders, gives rise to a reasonable perception of corruption and undermines investor confidence.”The complaint also raised jurisdictional concerns, noting that “
Harare CCD was conducting investigations into a matter arising in Shamva, which falls under a different policing jurisdiction.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police acknowledged receipt of Canterbury’s complaint on 30 July 2026 through a letter signed by Commissioner C. Charumbira, Chief Director of the Criminal Investigation Department.
“Investigations into the matter have been instituted and you will be advised of the outcome in due course,” the response states.
Commissioner Charumbira directed the Officer Commanding Commercial Crimes Division to “institute investigations into the allegations raised by the author” with a deadline for feedback and recommendations by 30 August 2026.
Contacted for comment, Korzim managing director Jairus Matsika said: “I have the right to report the matter wherever I want.”
Despite the harassment, Canterbury has vowed to continue investing in Zimbabwe.
The company remains committed to the country and has expressed unwavering confidence in the leadership of President Mnangagwa, stating that it will not be deterred by the actions of rogue officers seeking to frustrate foreign investors.
Canterbury has requested that the Commissioner General cause an immediate investigation into the conduct of the officers involved, direct that all further action cease until the matter is investigated, and provide the company with assurance of protection to continue its lawful operations.
