Crimes and Courts Correspondent
High Court Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze has expressed grave concern over the alarming rate of murders at mining sites in Midlands Province, emphasizing the need to respect the sanctity of life.
This statement was made while delivering a 30-year jail term to Avoid Siajena, a mine security guard convicted of shooting three colleagues over a dispute about food.
“It is important for people to know the value of life, but some of you seem to lose your mind when you go underground. I wonder what happens to you people when you get into mining,” Justice Mawadze remarked.
Siajena’s case is just one example of the violence plaguing the mining industry. In 2023, Midlands Province recorded 45 fatalities, and 13 more deaths were reported in January 2024 alone. The Zimbabwe Peace Project also reported 105 murders in Kadoma’s mining areas between August and October 2019.
Causes of Mining Violence:
- Disputes over resources: Miners often clash over claims and resources, leading to fatal conflicts.
- Lack of safety measures: Inexperienced miners and poor safety protocols contribute to accidents and deaths.
- Machete gangs: Organized groups terrorize mining sites, perpetrating violence and intimidation.
To address these issues, authorities are urging mining companies and stakeholders to implement safety measures and conflict resolution strategies. Justice Mawadze’s call to respect life underscores the need for a collective effort to curb the alarming rate of murders in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
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