From Gold Bars to a Wanted Poster: ‘G6’ Chivayo Skips Bail in R15m Hawks Case

The glittering social media life of a young Zimbabwean influencer has hit a dead end with law enforcement. Joachim “G6” Chivayo, who once flaunted luxury cars and a lavish lifestyle online, has been declared a wanted person by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in South Africa after he allegedly skipped bail and failed to appear in court .

The 33-year-old Chivayo and his co-accused, 20-year-old South African citizen Ayanda Brian Gungwa, were first arrested in November 2024. The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit caught them red-handed at the Helderwyk Estate in Brakpan, in possession of six bars of unwrought gold bullion valued at approximately R15 million . A Mercedes-Benz SUV was also seized during the operation .

Strict Bail Conditions Violated

Both men appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on 28 November 2024 and were granted bail of R20,000 each . However, the court imposed strict conditions:

• They were not permitted to leave the Republic of South Africa or Gauteng province.

• They were required to report to the Brakpan Police Station every Sunday, starting from 1 December 2024 .

The case was postponed to 25 February 2025 for further investigation. But when the court date arrived, the dock was empty .

Hawks national spokesperson, Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, confirmed that both accused failed to appear. On 11 March 2025, the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court issued J50 warrants of arrest for both men, and they have since been circulated as wanted suspects .

The ‘G6’ Persona and Political Ties

On social media, Chivayo cultivated a persona of immense wealth. Known online as “G6,” he frequently posted images and videos of himself behind the wheel of high-end luxury vehicles, including what appeared to be a Rolls-Royce Cullinan . He also posted images of himself handing over luxury cars to others, building a following fascinated by his flashy displays of cash.

His connections run deep. Chivayo has been publicly associated with Zimbabwean mogul and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo. In a May 2025 Facebook post, Wicknell referred to Joachim as his “dear little brother,” celebrating his birthday and praising what he described as a growing business empire .

Further complicating his profile, Chivayo has been identified as a ZANU-PF official. According to reports, he was appointed as the party’s deputy secretary for information and publicity in Harare province in September 2025 . Social media posts also show him and his co-accused, sometimes referred to as “Pharaoh,” attending a graduation ceremony at the Chitepo School of Ideology in Harare, a political training institution linked to Zimbabwe’s ruling party .

What’s Next?

The Hawks have not indicated whether investigators believe the accused remain in South Africa or have fled back to Zimbabwe . Given the cross-border nature of the case, and existing extradition protocols between South Africa and Zimbabwe, it remains possible that South African authorities could formally request Chivayo’s return to face justice .

The charges stem from a contravention of the Precious Metals Act (Act 37 of 2005) . Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the gold and to identify any additional suspects involved in the illegal trade network .

For now, the man who once posed with luxury cars is on the run, his social media presence silent, and his future uncertain as the long arm of the law reaches across the border.

{Source: IOL}

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