Gweru Woman Accuses Chinese Miner Of Exhuming Husband Without Family Consent

A Gweru woman has accused Harsh 3 Mine, a Chinese-owned mining company, of forcibly exhuming her late husband’s remains from the family homestead near Guinea Fowl under Chief Gambiza, allegedly without the consent of the bereaved family.

Keresia Mucharuza, aged 45, said the remains of her late husband, Takesure Mutanda, were exhumed on 5 April 2026 and later placed in a toolbox before being reburied approximately a kilometre away from the original gravesite.

Speaking to Masvingo Mirror, Mucharuza alleged that the exhumation was carried out without the knowledge or approval of the family, police, or relevant local authorities, rendering the process unlawful in her view.

She further claimed the incident took place at the former family homestead near Guinea Fowl, under Chief Gambiza, and said it has left relatives deeply distressed over what they describe as a violation of burial rites, cultural dignity, and respect for the deceased.

“The family is deeply traumatised after it watched in horror as an excavator hurriedly opened the grave and exposed the remains,” said Mucharuza.

“The process was insensitive and disrespectful to the deceased. After the grave was opened, relatives gathered scattered remains. A coffin promised by the mining company did not materialise.”

Efforts by Masvingo Mirror to obtain a comment from the mine’s management were unsuccessful.

Chief Gambiza’s representative, Aaron Tombola, also condemned the exhumation and subsequent reburial, describing the process as deeply concerning.

“I witnessed the removal of skeletal remains from the grave. No proper health procedure was followed, and I wish to dissociate myself from the process. As the chief advised, that action needed Police authorization,” said Tombola.

Midlands Provincial Police spokesperson Emmanuel Mahoko told Masvingo Mirror that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had not been informed of the exhumation.

Chiwundura Constituency MP and Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini, condemned the incident, saying Chief Gambiza should not have allowed such a development within his jurisdiction and ought to have reported the matter to the police.

Mucharuza alleged that Harsh 3 Mine issued villagers with an ultimatum, offering US$5,000 compensation for the relocation of their homes to pave the way for a new mining project.

She said she was initially assured that her late husband’s grave would remain undisturbed and that the company would even erect a tombstone in his honour.

However, she claimed she was later taken by surprise when the mine informed her that the grave would, in fact, have to be relocated.

“Both my family and I objected to this decision. Despite our refusal, and in the absence of Police or local authority, as well as without adherence to health and cultural procedures, the exhumation proceeded,” she said.