The Bulawayo High Court has ordered ZANU-PF youths who occupied Vubachikwe Mine in Matabeleland South to leave the property immediately.
In a ruling on February 2, Justice Bongani Ndlovu directed six individuals, including ZANU-PF Matabeleland South youth chairperson Moses Langa, and anyone claiming occupation through them, to stop illegal mining activities and vacate the mine in Gwanda.
The court ordered Langa, Aldonia Gondo, Madodana Sibanda, Taison Mutengeni, Takeson Moyo and Alot Ndlovu to restore possession of mining claim ML16, which includes Vubachikwe Mine and is owned by Forbes & Thompson (Bulawayo).
If they fail to comply, state authorities are authorised to enforce the order. The ruling allows the Sheriff, with help from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, to remove the respondents and anyone claiming occupation through them.
The order followed an urgent application by Forbes & Thompson, which said its continuous possession of ML16 since 1983 was disrupted on January 17, 2026, when the group allegedly forced its way onto the mine.
In court papers, company director Musa Amidu said the group arrived with front-end loaders, tippers and compressors and began large-scale excavation and processing of gold-bearing ore at several sites, including Sweet Waters, Magano Shaft, Churu Farm, and areas near low-density housing.
Amidu said the invasion was causing major losses of gold ore and structural damage. He also accused the group of intimidating mine security, resisting police intervention, and holding gatherings where they claimed control of the mine.
The affidavit further said the group was attempting to formalise their occupation by registering illegal panners, planning to fence off parts of ML16, and lobbying politically to legitimise their presence.
The company’s lawyer, Dave Simbi, told the court that any delay in granting relief would make future remedies ineffective, as gold ore was being removed and infrastructure damaged.
Court documents also indicated that youths had built makeshift structures on the mine and were hauling away large quantities of gold-bearing ore, creating safety risks and tensions with mine workers.
More: ZimLive
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