By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments has released a statement providing details about a violent incident that occurred on Tuesday, involving one of its employees, Dube.
According to the company, Dube allegedly ignored multiple instructions from his supervisors on-site, prompting them to issue warnings before suspending him pending an investigation.
The situation escalated later that day around 4:00 PM when, according to the company, Dube forcibly took the keys to an excavator from another operator and drove it toward his supervisors, Mr. Hu and Mr. Chen. Alarmed by his actions, the supervisors reported the incident to Farm Manager Liu Haifeng and his deputy, Mr. Huo Haopeng.
The statement detailed that Dube allegedly attempted to run over Liu Haifeng with the excavator.
In response, Liu armed himself with a gun and fired a warning shot into the air. The situation reportedly worsened as Dube physically attacked Liu, leading to a fistfight in which Dube stabbed Liu in the leg.
Other employees intervened, disarming Dube and subsequently taking him to the police, while Liu was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
Ming Chang confirmed that Dube was not injured during the incident and is currently in police custody.
In their statement, the company also criticized Zimbabwean media for reporting misleading accounts of the event.
“We also regret to state that some publications rushed to publish inaccurate versions of the incident in what appears to be yet another attack on Chinese investors in Zimbabwe using false information. We also take this opportunity to urge the media to verify facts and report accurately without bias,” the company expressed.
The firm emphasized its commitment to lawful labor practices and peaceful conflict resolution.
“Our company is a law-abiding citizen and remains committed to best labour and business practices which employ legal conflict resolution strategies,” they stated.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have launched an investigation into the violent altercation involving Dube and the Chinese supervisors, confirming that it stemmed from a labor dispute.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is actively investigating a violent confrontation that occurred on January 21, 2025, at Bijour Farm in the Lower Gweru region of the Midlands Province. The altercation reportedly stemmed from a labour dispute involving a Zimbabwean citizen and a Chinese national,” they stated.
In a separate incident on January 22, 2025, a 20-year-old Zimbabwean man, Mthandazo Sibanda, was shot at the Binyup 5 Mine in Filabusi. Reports indicate the shooting occurred while Sibanda was allegedly attempting to steal gold ore from the site. The suspect, a Chinese national, reportedly used a 9mm Derya pistol during the encounter.
Authorities have apprehended the suspect, and investigations into this incident are ongoing.