FORTY-SIX people were left injured after gunshots were fired at Element Minerals Mine in Shamva, Mashonaland Central province, on Thursday, following violent clashes over an alleged illegal mine takeover. The push to take over the mine was allegedly led by one of the Zanu PF youth leaders in the province, Josphat Zvomuya.
The injured have been admitted to Harare and Shamva hospitals.
The officer commanding Mashonaland Central province Commissioner Charles Musavengana yesterday confirmed the clashes at the mine which was allegedly led by Zvomuya, a councillor Ernest Manyara and district co-ordinating committee member Tongai Mazwienezara.
“It is very true there was violence at a mine in Shamva,” he said
Mashonaland Central province police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe yesterday they were yet to make arrests.
He said they were aware of the incident at the mine before pleading for the public to volunteer information.
“We are aware of the violence which occurred at Element Minerals Mine and no arrests have been made. We are aware that some people are admitted in Harare, while others are in Shamva. We have detectives on the ground. If there is anyone with information, we urge them to come forward with it,” he said.
“We are told there were some gunshots at the mine. We are urging people to solve their disputes amicably. Anyone who is found on the wrong side of the law is going to be arrested.”
Zvomuya is being accused of name-dropping President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the alleged mine grab.
“This is sad what is happening in Shamva and yet the perpetrators are running free, being led by Manyara and Mazwienezara,” a witness who declined to be named said.
“Zvomuya and his team are abusing the name of the party and President Emmerson Mnangagwa and are defying Ministry of Mines directives not to grab mines.”
A source that was at the mine said it was like a war situation on Thursday.
“Workers at the mine were shocked to see some Zanu PF youths storming the mine and beat up everyone who was there. That is when the security at the mine fired shots, which hit two people,” the source said. Zvomuya reportedly has a prohibition order not to interfere with mining operations in the province, which he is reportedly defying.
