By Ziyah News Network Reporter
Mazowe, Zimbabwe — A violent confrontation at a local mining site has ignited a political firestorm after reports surfaced that Bellarmine Chatunga, son of former President Robert Mugabe, allegedly led an armed group in an assault on security personnel.
The incident, which left at least one security guard fighting for his life, raises questions about the influence of political figures and the rule of law in the region.
Sources indicate that tensions escalated on Wednesday afternoon when Chatunga allegedly arrived at the Ultimate Mining concession, situated near Grace Mugabe’s farm, accompanied by men wielding AK-47 assault rifles.
The group reportedly accused the mine staff of neglecting to prevent illegal gold panners from entering the land a claim that, if true, points to ongoing conflicts between government-associated landholders and local miners.
Eyewitnesses describe a scene of chaos: trespassers fleeing the Mugabe estate into the mine premises, followed by armed men demanding accountability.
According to one anonymous mine worker, the confrontation quickly turned violent when Chatunga allegedly personally assaulted a security guard, shouting, “wasiirei vanhu vachipinda mumunda wapresident chaivo?!” (“Why did you allow people to enter the land of the real president?”).
Medical reports confirm that multiple workers sustained severe injuries including skull fractures, broken ribs, and limb injuries after being beaten and, in some cases, shot.
The most critical victim, security guard Elvis Bvumbwe, was severely injured while attempting to shield himself from the assault. A medical affidavit from Parirenyatwa Hospital verified the severity of his injuries, which include a fractured ulna and extensive bruising.
In a disturbing turn, witnesses say that during the chaos, a firearm discharged accidentally, adding to the violence. The assault culminated in the victims being forcibly taken into the Mugabe estate, where they were reportedly doused with water and beaten with logs and metal rods.
Despite the seriousness of the attack, Chatunga allegedly remained defiant at the Mazowe Police Station, reportedly claiming that if President Mnangagwa learned of his detention, “everyone here will be fired.” He then drove off the scene without being apprehended, fueling suspicions of political protection.
The incident has sparked widespread debate about the influence of political elites in rural land disputes and law enforcement. Critics argue that powerful figures like Chatunga may be using their connections to intimidate or escape accountability for violent acts.
The injured workers’ medical expenses have already surpassed US$2,000, and the community is calling for swift justice amid fears that the case may be swept under the rug due to political ties. The police have officially recorded the incident under Report Received Book (RRB) Number 6347367, but efforts to obtain official comments from police spokesperson Paul Nyathi remain unanswered.
As this case unfolds, many are questioning whether justice will prevail or if political influence will continue to shield the powerful, threatening the rule of law in Zimbabwe’s rural communities.