Crimes and Courts
FILABUSI, Matabeleland South – Alarmed by escalating violence linked to gold mining, residents of Filabusi are issuing an urgent plea to the Ministry of Mines and other authorities to implement systemic reforms. Calls are mounting for stricter documentation, prevention of duplicate mining claims, and greater social responsibility from miners to curb the bloodshed.
The demands follow a violent clash at Theleka Business Centre on February 28 last year, where disputes over gold claims erupted into chaos. Villagers confronted a group of illegal miners accused of targeting locals, resulting in injuries to four people and the arrest of six individuals.
Frustration is palpable among the community. Local businessman and miner Mkhululi Ncube highlighted the core issue:
“You find out that I have been working my mine for 20 years, then someone comes with new papers, and violence erupts as we fight for the place.” Ncube pointed to baffling inconsistencies, stating miners were told no new claims were being pegged, yet outsiders arrive with documentation.
He urged better record-keeping and vetting of workers:
“When the employers hire people they should find out about their employees, if they are good people or not.”
He also warned of youth abandoning school for mining, leading to risky behaviour fueled by sudden income.
Sindiso Sibanda, Chairperson of the Filabusi Residents’ Association, linked violence to poor employment practices and administrative failures.
“Miners employ people without national identity cards from faraway places, and when crimes occur, they cannot be traced,” he stated. Sibanda confirmed the critical problem of duplicate claims:
“Mines offices sometimes issue certificates to multiple people for the same mine, creating tension and conflict.” He further cautioned that flaunting mining wealth publicly attracts robberies.
The social impact extends deep into the community. Resident Sibongile Sibanda directly tied the violence to unemployment:
“We have a crisis, there is too much violence in our communities which is caused by unemployment. Those in mining, especially young men, buy alcohol and weapons when they get money, and they fight each other. There is no respect, and their future and culture have been disturbed.”
She emphasized that violence often spills from mines into public spaces like beerhalls.
Police & Industry Response:
Inspector Chiratidzo Dube, Matabeleland South Police Spokesperson, listed common mining-related crimes: “Assault, robbery, ownership disputes, and sometimes murder.” She identified triggers:
“Gold rushes, scarcity of gold, drug abuse, infidelity, and petty quarrels over beer,” exacerbated by “limited job opportunities and competition for resources.” Inspector Dube outlined police efforts: “proactive policing with awareness campaigns, patrols, engagement with mine owners, investigations, and arrests.”
Dosman Mangisi of the Junior Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe acknowledged the violence, attributing it to lack of formalisation and education rather than the Ministry itself.
“Yes, there is violence in the mining industry… more about lack of understanding and formalisation. There is a need for outreach with community leaders like chiefs,” Mangisi stated, praising Chief Maduna’s advocacy for non-violence.
“Zimbabweans should unite and recognise that they are one.”
Efforts to obtain comment from the Ministry of Mines were unsuccessful.
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