Police probe violent incident at Bijour Farm in Gweru

Sunday News Reporter

A violent clash unfolded on Tuesday last week at a Chinese-owned mining firm after a worker, reportedly seeking unpaid wages, confronted his supervisors.

This incident has since ignited outrage on social media. The confrontation took place at Bijou Farm in Gweru and involved Kholwani Dube, an excavator operator employed by Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments.

Videos circulating on social media depict Dube shouting, “I want my money! I want my money!” as tensions escalated. Reports indicate that he was owed $600 in unpaid wages. In contrast, Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments offered a different narrative, claiming Dube ignored instructions, operated an excavator without permission, and threatened supervisors by allegedly trying to run them over. The company’s statement said: “Liu Haifeng fired a warning shot into the sky, adhering to firearm safety procedures and ensuring no one was harmed.” It went on to report that during a physical altercation, Dube allegedly stabbed and severely injured Liu Haifeng, who required hospitalisation. The company asserted that Dube was subdued by fellow employees and subsequently handed over to the police without injury. Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments also criticised some media outlets for disseminating “inaccurate versions of the incident,” urging them to verify the facts. The Zimbabwe Republic Police have launched an investigation into the incident. According to Commissioner Paul Nyathi, both parties involved are facing criminal charges after the dispute escalated into violence. Nyathi stated that the incident occurred when Kholwani Dube, 38, a local worker, stabbed a Chinese national, identified as Liu Haifeng, with an okapi knife after a labour dispute. In retaliation, the Chinese national reportedly pointed a firearm at Dube.

In a separate incident, a 20-year-old Zimbabwean, Mthandazo Sibanda, was shot with a 9mm pistol by a Chinese national as he was allegedly stealing gold dump at Binyup 5 Mine, Filabusi, on January 22.

“Police have since arrested the Chinese national,” said Commissioner Nyathi. The incidents have sparked outrage on social media, highlighting concerns about labour disputes and worker mistreatment in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.