A Chinese national who fled Zimbabwe while facing theft charges is now at the center of a cross-border controversy involving fabricated gold smuggling allegations. Xu Zhixue, formerly employed by Podhill (Private) Limited, escaped to China after being released on summons by police in Gweru, where he was charged with stealing nearly US$4,800 from the company’s bank account. Authorities confirmed he failed to appear in court and remains a wanted person.
Industry insiders say Xu, along with his uncle Li Yajun, launched a smear campaign targeting Podhill’s majority shareholder, Generous Resources (Pvt) Ltd, and its chairman, Mr Zuo Wenzhong. The pair allegedly circulated AI-generated documents falsely claiming Podhill smuggled over 120 kilograms of gold worth nearly US$10 million. Law enforcement has since dismissed the claims, confirming no record of such an operation exists.
The allegations have shaken investor confidence and disrupted operations at Podhill, a joint venture with Australian-owned Milhub (Pvt) Ltd. Milhub principal Mohamad Taleb condemned the false reports, warning they could deter foreign investment in Zimbabwe’s gold sector. Authorities are now working to track Xu’s activities abroad and may pursue additional charges related to cyber defamation.
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