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Allegations: ZANU PF-aligned musician David “DJ” Masomere and his partner Kennedy Sithole are facing accusations of fraudulently seizing gold mining claims from the Mutasa Mining Syndicate in Manicaland.
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The Defence: Masomere vehemently denies the charges, characterizing them as a smear campaign launched by a rival syndicate that lost a key High Court battle earlier this year.
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Court Ruling: The dispute hinges on a 25 May 2025 judgment by Justice Mandaza J, which reportedly ruled in favor of Wan Wenjin Jewelers, a company linked to the transaction.
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Current Status: While the Mutasa syndicate alleges a nationwide “mine-grab” spree using political influence, Masomere maintains this is a single, settled legal matter.
Dispute Over Manicaland Gold Claims The controversy escalated earlier this week when the Mutasa Mining Syndicate approached local media, alleging that Masomere and Sithole used “political muscle” and questionable documentation to displace registered small-scale miners. The syndicate claims this incident is part of a broader pattern where the duo targets productive claims across multiple districts, using their political proximity to shield themselves from consequences.
Masomere Hits Back: “It’s Retaliation, Not Theft” Masomere’s camp has dismissed the mine-grabbing narrative as a desperate tactic by a losing party. Representatives for the musician told Gambakwe Media that the conflict is strictly a legal dispute over ownership rights, which was already settled by the High Court. On 25 May 2025, Justice Mandaza J delivered a judgment upholding the rights of Wan Wenjin Jewelers in the disputed area. Masomere’s team argues that the syndicate is now resorting to “media trials” to pressure authorities because they have exhausted their legal remedies.
A Sector Plagued by Conflict The standoff highlights the often opaque nature of mining disputes in Zimbabwe, where court orders frequently clash with on-the-ground reality and political name-dropping. While the Mutasa syndicate insists they are victims of a politically motivated takeover, Masomere’s reliance on the May 2025 ruling offers a strong counter-narrative of legal legitimacy. As of December 6, no new court applications or police reports have been filed regarding the specific “mine-grab” allegations, leaving the matter in a tense stalemate.
Timeline of Events
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25 May 2025: High Court (Justice Mandaza J) rules in favor of Wan Wenjin Jewelers in the ownership dispute against Mutasa Mining Syndicate.
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Early Dec 2025: Mutasa syndicate members approach private media with fresh allegations that Masomere is orchestrating a “mine-grab” spree.
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3 Dec 2025: The Standard and NewsDay publish details of the syndicate’s accusations.
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5 Dec 2025: Masomere’s camp issues a rebuttal, citing the previous High Court judgment as proof of ownership.
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6 Dec 2025: The story continues to circulate on social media; no new legal filings have been reported in the last 48 hours.
Key Players
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David “DJ” Masomere: ZANU PF praise singer and businessman accused of claim seizure; asserts the dispute is legally settled.
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Kennedy Sithole: Masomere’s business partner named as a co-conspirator in the allegations.
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Mutasa Mining Syndicate: The complainant claiming illegal displacement despite the adverse court ruling.
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Wan Wenjin Jewelers: The entity that secured the favorable High Court ruling in May 2025.
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Justice Mandaza J: The High Court judge who presided over the original ownership dispute.
