Air Force Of Zimbabwe Denies Allegations Of Wrongdoing At Mukaradzi Mine

The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has denied social media claims suggesting it was involved in illegal activities at Mukaradzi Mine in Mt Darwin, including the construction of a boundary fence.

In a statement on Saturday, the AFZ said the reports were false and baseless, adding that all its work at the site was lawful and carried out according to military rules and regulations. Part of the statement reads:

“The Air Force of Zimbabwe wishes to address and clarify the recent false allegations circulating on social media regarding our operations and the erection of a boundary fence at Mukaradzi Mine in Mt Darwin.

“It has come to our attention that a video has been disseminated, falsely accusing the Air Force of Zimbabwe of illegal activities.”

The AFZ said it has a joint venture with Wise Tina International, a company registered under Zimbabwean law, and that together they are the lawful owners of the mine.

It added that the joint venture fully complies with all legal requirements for putting up boundary markers.

The Air Force also claimed that the people behind the video were the real troublemakers, trying to damage the military’s reputation with false accusations. It said:

“The perimeter fence in question was erected by the Joint Venture according to the coordinates given by the Ministry of Mines.

“However some unscrupulous elements resorted to the use of force and trespassed into the mentioned mine.

“The illegal miners then circulated the video acting as victims when they are the actual perpetrators.

“The claims made in the video are not only inaccurate but also misleading.”

The AFZ has promised to take legal action against those responsible, saying: “We are committed to protecting our assets and maintaining the integrity of our operations.” It added:

“The AFZ strongly condemns the dissemination of such false information and urge the public to refrain from spreading unverified claims.

“The AFZ is dedicated to transparency and integrity in all our dealings. We appreciate the continued support of our stakeholders and the community as we work toward a resolution.”

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