Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
TWO Bulawayo miners have appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Jesse Kufa on fraud charges after allegedly orchestrating a scheme that prejudiced a mining company and its shareholders of assets valued at approximately US$30 million.
John Farley Pietersen (66) and Peter Mark Johnstone (58), both self-employed miners from Bulawayo, were granted US$500 bail each yesterday.
The matter was remanded to July 24.
The complainant is DGL Finance Limited, a Mauritius-based company which is the sole lawful shareholder of All Aflame Marketing (Private) Limited through its holding of 170 ordinary shares.
All Aflame Marketing holds mining claims known as the Royal Family Claims in Filabusi.
The company is represented by executive director David Peter Easterbrook, who is also a complainant in the matter together with Allan Brent Dolan. The two were allegedly removed unlawfully as directors of All Aflame Marketing (Pvt) Ltd.
Prosecutor Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe alleged that the accused were applicants in High Court case number HC 5655/25, in which All Aflame Marketing (Pvt) Ltd was cited as one of the respondents.
It is alleged that, while serving court application papers, Pietersen and Johnstone acted in common purpose and deliberately served the documents at 105 Plumtree Road, Bulawayo, despite allegedly knowing that the company had relocated its operations to Number 3 Wolverhampton Road, Donnington, Bulawayo.
The court heard that on August 15, 2025, the Sheriff of the High Court issued a return of service indicating that All Aflame Marketing no longer occupied the Plumtree Road address. Despite this, the accused allegedly proceeded to represent to the High Court that service had been properly effected.
According to the State, the accused were aware of the company’s correct address, having previously served summons in another matter, HCH 3656/25, at the Wolverhampton Road premises.
The prosecution alleges that this misrepresentation resulted in the matter being treated as unopposed, leading the High Court to grant a default judgment in favour of the accused.
As a result of that order, Pietersen and Johnstone allegedly acquired a 57,45 percent shareholding in All Aflame Marketing (Pvt) Ltd, prejudicing DGL Finance Limited, Easterbrook and Dolan.
In a second count, the State alleges that the pair later approached the Registrar of Companies armed with the High Court order dated February 5, 2026.
They allegedly misrepresented that Easterbrook and Dolan had resigned as directors on May 13, 2026, and that they were now the lawful owners and directors of All Aflame Marketing.
Prosecutors say the accused knew the court order did not state that the two directors had resigned or been removed from office.
The Registrar of Companies allegedly acted on the representations and amended company records to reflect Pietersen and Johnstone as directors while removing Easterbrook and Dolan.
