Zimbabwe News
Local Businessman Francesco Marconati, Seeks Protection after Exposing Forex Externalization Syndicate
Whistleblower Files Application for Safety Amid Life-Threatening Circumstances
A local businessman Francesco Marconati, who exposed a well-organized syndicate involved in the externalization of scarce Forex through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has filed an application seeking protection from the authorities.
Francesco Marconati, the owner of multiple companies, including Eagle Italian Shoes and Leather and Strengthened Investments Private Limited, stated that his life is in danger after blowing the whistle on a director within his companies for forex externalization.
Marconati emphasized that his rights were being violated as a result of exposing the criminal syndicate. In his application, he requested the court to invoke and recognize the rights and interests derived from whistleblowing.
He argued that his active role in exposing the well-organized crime, which contributes to Zimbabwe’s economic challenges, warranted his protection as a whistleblower under Article 33 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
Highlighting the sophistication and involvement of a syndicate in white-collar criminal offenses, Marconati asserted that he met the criteria for protection.
He acknowledged the ongoing legislative process in Zimbabwe’s Parliament to enact a whistleblower protection law known as the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblower) Bill, further underlining the need for his safeguarding.
Marconati also referred to previous instances where he sought legal intervention to protect his rights concerning cases involving his former business partner, Li Song.
He clarified that the present application was distinct and based on different circumstances that substantiated the necessity for his whistleblower protection.
As a successful businessperson involved in various sectors—such as leather and textile, mining, and tourism—Marconati explained that his primary focus had been expanding his businesses while delegating financial transactions to directors.
However, in 2021, he discovered that one of the directors, Li Song, had engaged in illicit transactions, bidding for forex in the name of the company but for personal gain. This fraudulent activity resulted in substantial financial losses for the company.
Taking immediate action, Marconati, as the majority shareholder, removed Li Song as a director and reported the case to the police.
He later uncovered that Li Song also utilized other affiliated companies, including DGL 9 and 5, and Strengthened Investments, to facilitate illicit transactions and forge invoices. Furthermore, it was revealed that Li Song had utilized a registered investment company in Mauritius, Jacaranda Consulting Services, to carry out these activities.
Marconati claimed that the police were aware of all the information and had his full cooperation, including financial support for their investigations.
In an attempt to silence him, Li Song falsely accused Marconati of fraud in criminal court, but he was subsequently acquitted. However, the acquittal is currently under appeal by the Prosecutor General.
Despite facing frustration and threats from Li Song and her associates, Marconati remained committed to seeking justice. He believed that his whistleblowing exposed the manipulation of the forex auction system and the externalization of millions of dollars facilitated by Li Song and like-minded individuals. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe conducted its own investigations, joining the case as complainants against Li Song.
Since becoming a whistleblower, Marconati claimed to have been followed by vehicles without number plates. He highlighted an attempt on his life and that of his son, which he reported to the police, providing substantial evidence.
However, to date, no action has been taken to address the threat against him.
Marconati named the Prosecutor General, District Public Prosecutor, Commissioner General of Police, Officer in Charge of Dornington Police Station, Officer in Charge of CID Commercial Crimes Division, and the Minister of Justice as respondents in his application for protection.
The matter is currently pending resolution.
Marondera businessman Francesco Marconati has been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of fraudulently removing his business partner from the directorship of Eagle Italian Shoes.
Initially, the magistrate handed down a five-year sentence, with three years suspended on the condition that he doesn’t commit a similar offense.
In his ruling, the magistrate noted that Marconati was fully aware he was bypassing proper corporate procedures when committing the offense. He emphasized that Marconati did not receive any resignation letter from his partner, Ms. Song, and that the two had been long-time business and social associates.
Mr. Donald Ndirowei, the presiding magistrate, stated that the complainant had suffered significant emotional distress and financial loss due to Marconati’s actions. He also noted that Marconati had two prior convictions, establishing him as a repeat offender. The magistrate criticized Marconati for showing a lack of respect for the country’s criminal justice system by continuing to commit similar offenses, justifying the need for a severe sentence.
Marconati was convicted of two counts of fraud. Last week, the magistrate found that he had improperly removed Ms. Song from her role as company director and secretary at Eagle Italian Shoes and Agrilink, falsifying documents to claim that both she and Agrilink had resigned. The State, represented by Mr. Anesu Chirenji, demonstrated that Marconati had submitted false information to the Registrar of Companies, falsely claiming Ms. Song’s resignation.
Mr. Ndirowei detailed how Marconati presented a fraudulent CR6 document to Ecobank and First Capital Bank on October 14, 2021, to remove Ms. Song as a company director and account signatory, replacing her with his son, Alessandro Marconati. This document was never officially filed with the Registrar.
In December 2022, Marconati repeated the act by appointing his son Alessandro as director without notifying Ms. Song or holding any required meetings. In 2023, he and his son forged a third CR6 form, appointing Kutaura Bond as an additional company director. Due to these fraudulent actions, the company lost US$6.8 million.
The State also proved that the company secretary had not been informed of these changes, and no resignation letter had been submitted by Ms. Song. “No shareholders meeting or general meeting was conducted,” said Mr. Ndirowei. “The accused is found guilty as charged.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has approved two additional groundbreaking presidential initiatives aimed at empowering Zimbabwe’s economically marginalized population.
These initiatives, the Presidential Internet Scheme (PIS) and the Presidential Home Industry Development Scheme (PHIDS), will be launched in the near future to complement government efforts in achieving a middle-income economy by 2030.
Prevail International Group (PIG), under the leadership of its chairperson Paul Tungwarara, will spearhead these programs, building upon the success of its previous initiatives, the Presidential Borehole Scheme (PBS) and Presidential Solar Scheme (PSS).
PIS will leverage SpaceX’s Starlink satellite technology, to provide high-speed internet access to schools in marginalised rural communities, further bridging the digital divide.
On the other hand, PHIDS will establish and also upgrade existing home industries to create employment and empower the economically disenfranchised urbanites across the country.
PIG chairperson Tungwarara speaking on the launch of more presidential schemes on cards applauded Mnangagwa for being the mastermind behind the avant-garde garde initiatives that sought to achieve a middle income economy by 2030.
“The Presidential Internet Scheme and the Presidential Home Industry Development Scheme are noble projects that represent a monumental step towards digital and economic inclusivity across Zimbabwe.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology like Starlink to reach our most remote villages and upgrade our ailing home is truly commendable.
“It reflects a deep understanding of the needs of Zimbabwean citizens and a dedication to their development,” said Tungwarara.
Tungwarara said PHIDS’ pilot project will be introduced by an upgrade in Glenview home industries which have been plagued by serial infernos of the years
“We are also going to implement another scheme of presidential home industry development
“To upgrade our home industry to state of the art we are ready to kick off our pilot to curb fire outbreaks in Glenview home industries that have been happening frequently.
“We are ready to do the project and are currently in liaison with the local authority to work out the framework favorable for both parties,” said Tungwarara.
PHIDS and PIS complement Mnangagwa’s existing initiatives, particularly the ongoing PBS and the PSS to improve the livelihoods of Zimbabwean citizenry.
The PBS has provided vital water sources to drought-stricken areas across the nation, including Gokwe, Nkayi, Chipinge, Tsholotsho, Hwange, Bulilima, and Lupane.
By mitigating the impacts of the El Niño-induced drought, the borehole scheme has significantly improved the livelihoods of many villagers.
PBS has also been instrumental in implementing commercial Village Business Units (VBUs) which have empowered previously marginalised communities to take control of local agrarian economies.
Under Mnangagwa’s vision VBUs are designed to spur rural industrialization and modernization.
VBUS have begun yielding benefits for villagers, creating employment opportunities and improving overall livelihoods.
Additionally, Zimbabwe Solar Energy Company, a subsidiary of PIG subsidiary, has been tackling load shedding through the PSS pilot project.
This initiative, now in full swing, has connected several homes in Glen View Suburb to the national grid.
Solar power is seen as a key solution to the country’s electricity outages and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 7 of ensuring access to clean and affordable energy.
PSS involves renting and installing solar panels on rooftops at no cost, with the solar energy generated being fed into the national grid.
In return, ZESA has agreed in principle to suspend load-shedding in participating areas, and homeowners will receive a token of appreciation.
As PIG prepares for the rollout of more transformative presidential schemes it marks a new era of digital and economic empowerment for Zimbabwe’s marginalised communities, advancing the government’s Vision 2030 for comprehensive national development.
Chinese investor Haoxuan Song has urgently sought an interdict from the High Court to block his deportation from Zimbabwe, arguing that his detention and pending deportation are unlawful and violate his constitutional rights.
The case was heard before High Court Judge, Honorable Katiyo, who issued an interim court order suspending Song’s deportation until legal proceedings are resolved.
Song, who has lived in Zimbabwe since he was four years old, asserts that his detention and the deportation threat are an infringement on his personal liberty and protection from arbitrary deportation under Zimbabwe’s Constitution.
Song has invested over US$3 million in the country and argues that his continued presence is vital for his business operations.
On September 13, 2024, Song was detained by immigration officials and held at Harare Remand Prison, pending deportation to China. His legal team, represented by Tabana and Marwa, contends that the detention and deportation threats are without legal basis and violate his rights.
The matter was heard by High Court Judge Katiyo, who ruled as follows:
1. The case is postponed to September 17, 2024, at 14:30.
2. The deportation of Haoxuan Song is to be suspended until the 17th of September 2024.
3. No order as to costs.
Despite this court ruling, immigration authorities have reportedly refused to comply, allegedly avoiding legal service by switching off their phones to evade communication from Song’s legal team.
Song’s case has emerged in the context of a broader dispute involving business interests between his relative, Li Song, and Italian nationals Francesco and Alessandro Marconati. The Marconatis, who were convicted in 2024 of fraud, forgery, and theft, are accused of defrauding Li Song and unlawfully removing her from director positions in several companies. They allegedly used intimidation tactics, including brandishing firearms, to deny her access to her business premises and have been illegally extracting and selling gold from her plant since October 2021.
It is believed that Song’s detention and deportation are part of a scheme orchestrated by the Marconatis to consolidate control over Li Song’s business assets. Song’s legal team has also accused the immigration authorities of corruption, suggesting that senior officials have been bribed to facilitate his deportation and block legal proceedings.
The Chinese embassy has lodged a diplomatic protest with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, claiming that the Zimbabwean government violated the Vienna Convention by detaining Song without notifying the embassy and failing to provide necessary documentation.
As the legal battle continues, the tension between Song and immigration authorities remains high, with the court’s order yet to be fully enforced.
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