Heavy police presence cordoned off Inyathi magistrates court on Monday as controversial businessman Francesco Marconati appeared for routine remand amid bubbling community anger over shooting incidents involving his security guards.
Marconati (66), a Duration Gold Limited 5 (DGL5) Mine shareholder, was appearing in court on charges related to contraventions of the Firearms Act and one count of assault.
His case was moved to January 21 for routine remand.
The businessman was arrested after a guard at his DGL Mine Mbekezeli Ngwabi opened fire on a group of villagers, killing one man late last year.
Marconati was released by the Supreme Court on December 31, 2025 after the Inyathi magistrates’ court and the Bulawayo High Court rejected his freedom bid following his arrest on December 19 on the grounds that he was a flight risk and had a propensity to commit similar offences.
Scores of villagers thronged the court wearing red t-shirts written: Justice must be served.
Some community leaders told The Standard that the heavy police deployment was due to police officers, who misconstrued their presence in court as an intention to stage a demonstration against Marconati.
The police had initially given the villagers permission to observe the proceedings, but those who were wearing the t-shirts were blocked, the community leaders said.
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Speaking on behalf of the community, one of the villagers, Pardon Mangena accused the police of deliberately mischaracterizing their intention to attend court as a planned demonstration.
Pardon Mangena, a community leader, said their presence in court was meant to show solidarity with victims of shooting incidents at DGL5 mine and their relatives.
“Our notice to attend court was twisted to say it was a demonstration. It appears there is someone pushing the police to frustrate the process,” Mangena said.
“We were told to apply to hold a demonstration, which was never our intention, but we will now do so because that is what the police want.”
He said the community now believed that police were sympathetic to Marconati was close to the local police station.
“They are neighbours, and there could be sympathy there,” Mangena said.
“DGL5 is a powerful institution with many beneficiaries, even within the community.”
Sibusisiwe Moyo whose 31-year-old son Thabo Ngwenya was allegedly fatally shot by Ngwabi said delays in the case subjected her family to more trauma.
“This issue is very painful. I was in South Africa when I was told what had happened to my son,” Moyo told The Standard.
“They sent me pictures. He was 31 and was the breadwinner. He was taking care of his grandmother who is 75 years old,” she said.
“The people who went to see Marconati after my son’s death said he promised to take the children to school until they finish and to take care of the grandmother.
“He also promised to help with burial costs, but during the burial, I never saw him or anyone from his company.”
Moyo said she had hoped to see Marconati in court on Monday, but that was not possible because of the police presence.
“The court process is dragging, and it is very painful when you expect the law to take its course,” she said.
One villager claimed that shootings in the area by the DGL5 guards had become common.
Marconati is said to have a number of reported cases relating to abuse of guns, but there has been little traction towards their prosecution.
“People are being shot dead in their own community,” said the villager, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“We want to know why this is happening in our country. Who will take care of these children now?”.
Another community leader alleged that Marconati’s security guards routinely carried firearms and acted with impunity.
“We have seen a lot of brutality,” he said. “People are shot, others are disabled.
“We want to know who gives these guards the authority to shoot civilians.
“We only wanted to attend court wearing t-shirts calling for justice.”
Nqobizitha Moyo (20), who said he lost his right eye after allegedly being shot by a DGL5 guard last year, said he was struggling to get justice.
“I was shot in the eye last year in January,” Nqobizitha said.
“I was told the person who shot me is not in jail and was even promoted. “My case was reported to the police, but nothing has happened. I am 20 years old and my future has been destroyed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marconati has denied owning an unlicensed firearm, claiming it belonged to DGL5 shareholders but police investigations allegedly revealed that it was registered in his name.
He is also facing another court case where he is accused of firing four shots at a driver linked to rival miner Siphosami Mtonsi during a mine ownership dispute in 2021.
The matter was reported at Inyathi Police Station, but police have been accused of delaying investigations.
The case is now expected to be heard early this year, nearly five years after the alleged incident.
