NewsBy Nigel PfundeGWANDA – Operations at the recently resuscitated Vubachikwe Gold Mine are under severe threat as over 200 youths, allegedly mobilised with ruling party backing, have massed on its lease, pitching tents and freely excavating ore in a brazen takeover.The invasion, unfolding over several weeks on the ML16 mining lease operated by Duration Gold, reportedly enjoys the patronage of Zanu PF’s Matabeleland South provincial youth leader and Insiza North MP, Moses Langa. This development strikes a discordant note just kilometres from the site slated for this year’s national independence celebrations, directly contradicting President Mnangagwa’s “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” investor mantra.When this publication visited the site on January 21, large groups of youths were observed loading truckloads of ore. A token police raid that afternoon confiscated some equipment but failed to dislodge the invaders.
Mine security reports indicate the groups have previously overpowered guards at various shafts.The situation escalated on January 22 when a group blocked the main access road, halting traffic including flood relief aid convoys, only dispersing upon police arrival.Investigations reveal a coordinated operation. Earlier this month, mine security reported tipper trucks and a front-end loader illegally operating in the Sweet Waters area of the lease. A prominent local gold dealer is alleged to be behind the removal of “uncountable tons” of ore, with laden trucks seen entering his plant at White Farm.Vubachikwe Mine spokesperson, Robert Mukondiwa, confirmed ongoing challenges.
“We have seen increased numbers invading our claims. We are dealing with the issue through multiple routes, including the legal route, to bring culprits to book,” he stated, referencing a recent joint operation where police met resistance even after deploying tear gas.Sources indicate the current invasion was formally launched on January 15. MP Moses Langa, allegedly flanked by one Aldonia Gondo, addressed the youths at the Central Shaft turn-off.
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He is accused of name-dropping the First Family and the ruling party, assuring the crowd the area was now under Zanu PF youth control and that they would face no arrest or police harassment. Compressors were moved onto the site shortly after.A Zanu PF truck without license plates, driven by Gondo, was seen parked roadside as the illegal mining continued. Gondo himself is reportedly a subject of a stalled court case from a previous invasion at the mine.The youths are reportedly expanding towards the Gold Duck Shaft, raising alarms about ground collapse risks.
Blasting has been heard at multiple sites within the lease.In a significant move, a Zanu PF youth delegation led by Langa and Gondo allegedly travelled to Harare on January 19 to meet Ministry of Mines officials, including Minister Polite Kambamura, in an attempt to formalise the occupation.Contacted for comment, MP Moses Langa denied the allegations. “All these are allegations and all are baseless and we didn’t meet the Ministry regarding the issues you mentioned,” he said. He presented himself as a law-abiding public officer who respects the rule of law, asking, “What message will I be sending to the people…?” He challenged the paper to a three-way interview with its source.The invasion is the latest in a series of disruptive incursions at Vubachikwe, which only recently resumed operations after a violent illegal strike in November 2022.
The pattern often involves individuals claiming political protection, leading to ore looting, violence, and crippling blows to investor confidence.This standoff underscores the persistent tensions within Zimbabwe’s mining sector, where the rule of law frequently clashes with allegations of political interference and impunity.Leave a ReplyCancel reply NewsBy Nigel PfundeGWANDA – Operations at the recently resuscitated Vubachikwe Gold Mine are under severe threat as over 200 youths, allegedly mobilised with ruling party backing, have massed on its lease, pitching tents and freely excavating ore in a brazen takeover.The invasion, unfolding over several weeks on the ML16 mining lease operated by Duration Gold, reportedly enjoys the patronage of Zanu PF’s Matabeleland South provincial youth leader and Insiza North MP, Moses Langa. The pattern often involves individuals claiming political protection, leading to ore looting, violence, and crippling blows to investor confidence.This standoff underscores the persistent tensions within Zimbabwe’s mining sector, where the rule of law frequently clashes with allegations of political interference and impunity. GWANDA – Operations at the recently resuscitated Vubachikwe Gold Mine are under severe threat as over 200 youths, allegedly mobilised with ruling party backing, have massed on its lease, pitching tents and freely excavating ore in a brazen takeover.
The invasion, unfolding over several weeks on the ML16 mining lease operated by Duration Gold, reportedly enjoys the patronage of Zanu PF’s Matabeleland South provincial youth leader and Insiza North MP, Moses Langa. This development strikes a discordant note just kilometres from the site slated for this year’s national independence celebrations, directly contradicting President Mnangagwa’s “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” investor mantra. When this publication visited the site on January 21, large groups of youths were observed loading truckloads of ore.
Mine security reports indicate the groups have previously overpowered guards at various shafts. The situation escalated on January 22 when a group blocked the main access road, halting traffic including flood relief aid convoys, only dispersing upon police arrival. Investigations reveal a coordinated operation.
A prominent local gold dealer is alleged to be behind the removal of “uncountable tons” of ore, with laden trucks seen entering his plant at White Farm. Vubachikwe Mine spokesperson, Robert Mukondiwa, confirmed ongoing challenges. We are dealing with the issue through multiple routes, including the legal route, to bring culprits to book,” he stated, referencing a recent joint operation where police met resistance even after deploying tear gas.
Sources indicate the current invasion was formally launched on January 15. Compressors were moved onto the site shortly after. A Zanu PF truck without license plates, driven by Gondo, was seen parked roadside as the illegal mining continued.
Gondo himself is reportedly a subject of a stalled court case from a previous invasion at the mine. The youths are reportedly expanding towards the Gold Duck Shaft, raising alarms about ground collapse risks. Blasting has been heard at multiple sites within the lease.
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