Itai Muzondo
GWERU: A violent confrontation erupted on January 21 at a Chinese-owned mining company after a worker demanding unpaid wages clashed with his supervisors, sparking outrage in Gweru as people are calling for action against Chinese investors accused of exploiting local workers.
The incident, which occurred at Bijou Farm in Gweru, involved Kholwani Dube, an excavator operator employed by Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments.
However, in a statement, Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments provided a different account of events, claiming that Dube disregarded instructions, took an excavator without authorization, and posed a threat to supervisors by attempting to run them over.
They also went on to say during the incident, a warning shot was fired, and no one was injured, contrary to earlier reports circulating on social media.
“We are a responsible corporate citizen committed to best labour and business practices in its operations, with normal activity ongoing at the plant,” they went on to say.
Police have however indicated that both the Chinese national and Dube are facing criminal charges.
“Dude stabbed a Chinese national with an okapi knife on the leg after a labour dispute while the Chinese national pointed a firearm at Dube. Both the Zimbabwean national and Chinese national are facing criminal charges,” the police said in a statement.
The incident has reignited debate over the treatment of Zimbabwean workers by Chinese investors, with critics accusing authorities of failing to hold foreign companies accountable for labour violations.