The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) says the shooting of a villager at the Chinese-run Sino Africa Huijin Mine is the third such incident recorded at the site in the past five years.
In a statement on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, CNRG alleged that a Chinese syndicate operating the mine, reportedly in cahoots with some political figures, is continuing operations illegally after its mining licence expired and was not renewed by the Government.
The unarmed miner was allegedly shot on Sunday, 12 April 2026, after failing to pay extortion fees to security guards.
The organisation further alleged that some artisanal miners collude with security guards to access the site only after bribes of about US$10 for a few bags of ore.
Those who fail to pay are reportedly beaten, stoned or assaulted, with claims of extortion of up to US$2,000, as well as threats and gunfire used to intimidate miners.
“This latest shooting adds to a growing list of violent incidents at mining sites including, Sino Africa Huijin itself,” read the CNRG report.
“In April 2025, an artisanal miner, Alfred Dodzo, was fatally shot by a security guard under circumstances widely condemned as excessive and unjustified, with reports indicating that multiple shots were fired without warning.
“In January 2025, a worker at the mine, Taurai Dozva, was found dead whilst on night duty. There was no clear explanation of how Taurai met his fate.
“Africa Sino Africa Huijin, similar incidents have been recorded across Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
“In October 2025, a Zimbabwean worker was shot dead at a gold mine in Mutoko by a foreign national in a case that sparked national outrage and highlighted growing tensions around mining-related violence.
“Similarly, Mthahandazo Sibanda (20) was shot with a 9mm Derya pistol by a Chinese national whilst allegedly stealing gold ore at Binyup Mine 5 in Filabusi on the 20th of January 2025.
“This year, an artisanal miner, Abel Matindindi, an unarmed artisanal miner who was allegedly shot and assaulted by Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamonds Company (ZCDC) security guards in the Marange diamond fields on January 30.”
CNRG said the shootings are not isolated, but part of a broader and deeply entrenched pattern in which violence is routinely used against local miners and communities, often under the guise of protecting mining concessions.
“Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth must not come at the cost of human life. The state has a constitutional obligation to protect its citizens, not to preside over or tolerate their harm,” said the CNRG.
“CNRG stands in solidarity with the affected families and communities and reiterates its commitment to advocating for justice, accountability, and responsible natural resource governance.”
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