By Donald Nyarota
Tensions flared in Old Mutare as community members stormed the premises of Chinese-owned mining company Sino Africa Huijin, following the fatal shooting of artisanal miner Alfred Dodzo. The incident, which occurred on the night of April 2, has sparked widespread outrage, with residents accusing the company of human rights abuses and illegal operations.
According to reports, Dodzo was caught allegedly stealing gold ore from the mine when a security guard fired multiple bullets into his face, killing him on the spot. Witnesses claim that no warning shots were fired before the fatal attack. Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, Acting Police Spokesperson for Manicaland Province, confirmed the incident, stating that officers were on the ground gathering evidence.
Upon learning of Dodzo’s death, about 70 enraged community members stormed the company’s premises, targeting security guards whom they accused of acting with impunity. While most guards managed to flee—many sustaining injuries—the mine manager, Daniel Panganai, was not as fortunate. He was pelted with stones and suffered multiple injuries before being rushed to Hartzell Mission Hospital, and later transferred to Mutare General Hospital.
A community member, expressing the deep frustration of local residents, said: “How many more of us have to die before something is done? These companies take our gold, abuse our people, and now they kill us without a second thought. We will not be silent!”
The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), which visited the site, condemned the incident, highlighting a pattern of rights violations and illegal activities by Sino Africa Huijin. The organization noted that the company has a history of mistreating Zimbabwean workers while prioritizing the welfare of Chinese employees. Workers reported that gold produced at the mine is frequently smuggled out of the country without being declared to authorities.
This is not the first time the mining company has been embroiled in controversy. In January 2025, another worker, Taurai Dozva, died under unclear circumstances while on night duty. His family received a mere $2,000 in compensation, a sum critics say reflects the company’s disregard for human life and labor rights.
Chinese Mining in Zimbabwe: Investment or Plunder?
The situation at Sino Africa Huijin reflects a broader pattern of resource extraction in Zimbabwe, where foreign companies, particularly Chinese-owned firms, exploit local labor while siphoning wealth out of the country. The lack of regulatory enforcement has allowed these companies to continue operating despite repeated violations.
The operations of Chinese mining companies in Zimbabwe have long been a subject of controversy. According to our research “Investment or Plunder?” An Assessment of the Impacts of Chinese Investments in Zimbabwe’s Extractive Sector many Chinese-run mines operate under exploitative conditions, characterized by worker abuse, environmental destruction, and financial opacity. The report details how Chinese firms, often in partnership with politically connected elites, evade taxation, smuggle minerals out of Zimbabwe, and violate labor laws with impunity.
Sino Africa Huijin is a prime example of these exploitative practices. The company has previously been flagged for environmental degradation and labor rights violations. In 2023, we petitioned the Zimbabwean Parliament to shut down the mine, citing illegal operations. Parliamentary investigations later revealed that the company had been operating without a valid permit or an Environmental Impact Assessment. The Joint Portfolio Committees on Mines and Environment have scheduled a site visit to gather firsthand information and assess the situation on the ground as part of their ongoing fact-finding mission.
CNRG’s Call to Action
In light of the killing of Alfred Dodzo and the long-standing exploitation by Sino Africa Huijin, CNRG is demanding immediate government action:
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- A full investigation into the killing of Dodzo, with those responsible held accountable under Zimbabwean law.
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- The permanent closure of Sino Africa Huijin, with mining rights transferred to Zimbabwean artisanal miners under the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation.
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- An audit of Sino Africa Huijin’s financial activities, particularly its alleged involvement in gold smuggling and organized crime.
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- Stronger oversight of foreign mining companies, ensuring compliance with labor and environmental regulations.
As police continue their investigations, community anger remains high, with calls for justice growing louder. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between local communities and foreign-owned mining companies accused of exploitation and environmental degradation in Zimbabwe’s resource-rich regions.