Mining fracas: Management respond

The Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments P/L has clarified the incident which occurred on January 21 where the farm manager was injured by an employee.

The incident resulted in Kholwani Dube, an excavator operator stabbing his supervisor, LIU Haifeng after an altercation.

Liu fired some warning shots at the height of the altercation in the presence of other employees.

The matter has since been reported to the police under case CR77/01/25 at Gweru Rural Police Station where Dube has been put in custody.

Different versions have been coming across different social media platforms.

In a statement, the company said:

“We wish to address our stakeholders regarding an incident that occurred on January 21, 2025.

“In the morning hours, Kholwani Dube, an excavator operator employed at Bijou Farm in Gweru, was observed repeatedly disregarding instructions from his supervisors on a construction site.

“In accordance with company policies and Zimbabwean Labour Laws, Mr. Dube was warned and subsequently suspended from his duties pending a formal investigation into the matter.

“At approximately 16:00 on the same day, it was reported that Mr. Dube took the keys to excavator No. 28 from the dam construction site and drove the vehicle towards supervisors Mr. Hu and Mr. Chen, exhibiting behaviour that posed a serious threat.

“Despite their efforts to intervene safely, Mr. Dube’s actions necessitated immediate reporting to the Farm Manager, Mr. Liu Haifeng, and his deputy, Mr. Huo Haopeng.

“Dube even attempted to run over the manager LIU Haifeng with the excavator all this while putting other employees and assets at risk.”

Added the statement:

“LIU Haifeng fired a warning shot into the sky, taking into account all firearm handling and safety procedures and without harming anyone.

“During the skirmish, HUO Haopeng contacted the police at Gweru Rural Police Station who were unfortunately unable to respond immediately due to transport challenges.

“Dube then suddenly attacked LIU Haifeng. LIU Haifeng defended himself out of instinct, grabbing the driver by the collar.

“The two were embroiled in a fistfight in which five other employees broke up.

“It was during the fistfight that Dube stabbed and seriously injured LIU Haifeng on his left leg.

“Fellow employees disarmed Dube. HUO Haopeng immediately had to return to the farm to take LIU Haifeng to the hospital for medical treatment, while other employees took the driver to the police.

“Dube was not injured in the process and is currently in police custody. No other employees were injured.

“We also regret to state that some publications rushed to publish inaccurate versions of the incident in what appears to be yet another attack on Chinese investors in Zimbabwe using false information.

“We also take this opportunity to urge the media to verify facts and report accurately without bias.

“Our company is a law-abiding citizen and remains committed to best labour and business practices which employ legal conflict resolution strategies.

“We are also committed to being a part of building Zimbabwe brick upon brick in the productive sectors and creating employment for thousands of Zimbabweans.”