Source: ZimLive
Zimbabwe Miners Federation warns of ‘revolution’ over Chinese abuses.
‘Those out in the bush know how unpleasant things could become’.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation boss Henrietta Rushwaya.
BULAWAYO – Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president Henrietta Rushwaya has accused some Chinese nationals of killing, abusing, and exploiting small-scale miners, warning that the government risks a revolt in the gold sector if it fails to rein in the abuses.
Rushwaya said small-scale miners were “bleeding inside” as they endured mounting violence and mistreatment at the hands of some foreign investors.
“As small-scale miners, we are not happy with how foreigners, particularly the Chinese, are treating us. Our people are being killed and abused in cold blood,” Rushwaya said during the Mine Entra exhibition in Bulawayo last week.
“This is totally unacceptable. We are peace-loving, law-abiding citizens, but we will not allow our fellow miners to be killed on their own soil.”.
She warned that continued government inaction risked igniting a backlash from the country’s hundreds of thousands of artisanal miners, who form the backbone of Zimbabwe’s gold output.
“We don’t want a revolution to come from the small-scale mining sector, especially when foreigners are concerned,” Rushwaya said.
“Those out in the bush know how unpleasant things could become if these abuses continue unchecked.”.
Rushwaya said miners had remained disciplined and productive despite the tensions, with gold deliveries from both small- and large-scale producers reaching 33 tonnes by the end of September.
Relations between local and Chinese miners have deteriorated in recent years amid reports of violent clashes, assaults, and labour disputes.
The Chinese embassy in Harare recently issued a rare and strongly worded advisory to its nationals operating in Zimbabwe, urging them to comply with local laws, respect communities, and avoid involvement in disputes or environmentally harmful practices.
The advisory urged Chinese businesses to “build trust through community and environmental stewardship”, promoting fair labour practices and compliance with environmental laws.
“Act as a partner in Zimbabwe’s development,” the embassy said. “Corporate social responsibility initiatives are strongly encouraged as visible expressions of goodwill. Such proactive efforts foster mutual trust and strengthen community relations.”.
