Work came to a screeching halt at Sino Africa Huijin, at Premier Estate in Old Mutare yesterday when the community went on a rampage following the killing of an artisanal miner by mine security during the night of 2 April 2025. Alfred Dodzo was caught allegedly stealing gold ore from the mine by a security guard who pumped several bullets into his face, killing him instantly. According to some workers at the mine, no warning shots were fired.
Acting Manicaland Police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident saying that police was on the scene gathering further information on the incident. “We have officers on the ground that are gathering evidence from the scene to ascertain what transpired and we will release information in due course.”
Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) visited the scene and found out that upon hearing of the news of the killing, about 70 community members invaded the company premises and ran amok, attacking security guards whom they accused of taking the law into their own hands. Whereas the guards managed to flee the scene, howbeit many with injuries, the mine manager Daniel Panganai was not so lucky. The community members pelted him with stones, resulting in him reportedly incurring injuries all over the body. Some good Samaritans from the community ferried Mr Panganai to Hartzell Mission Hospital where he was reportedly transferred to Mutare General Hospital. Apart from its awful human rights and safety record, Sino Africa Huijin is also reported to be siphoning gold from Zimbabwe. Workers complained that much of the gold they produce is not declared to the government by the Chinese nationals who own the mine.
CNRG also observed that Zimbabwean nationals at this company live in wooden shacks whilst the Chinese live in good shelters in their own secure compound. The segregation is an embarrassment for the government of Zimbabwe which prides itself for a hard-won independence against racial segregation and oppression of blacks.
Sino Africa is not new to controversy as the company has demonstrated a blatant disregard for human life, safety regulations, and fair labor practices. On the 10th of January 2025, Taurai Dozva, a worker at Sino Africa Huijin died in mysterious circumstances whilst on night duty. His family was given a paltry $2000 as compensation, an insult to his life and years of service. This meager payout reflects the broader issue of worker exploitation and disregard for human life by Chinese-owned mining companies operating in Zimbabwe.
In November 2023, CNRG petitioned Parliament of Zimbabwe to order a shut down of Sino Africa Huijin on account of environmental crimes and poor labor practices. On the 20th of May 2024 Parliament invited CNRG executive director to give oral evidence before the Joint Committees on Mines and Mining Development; and Environment and Tourism. Parliament then summoned the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and the Director of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to respond to the petition. EMA revealed that the company was now operating illegally since its permit had long expired and it was operating without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
In light of this and recent developments, CNRG calls on the government to permanently shut down Sino Africa Huijin and open the site to Zimbabwean artisanal miners under the auspices of Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation and Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe. This will ensure Zimbabwean nationals can benefit from their natural resources whilst also ensure government generate revenues.
We also call for a thorough investigation into the killing of Alfred Dodzo, with those responsible held accountable under Zimbabwean law. Additionally, an audit should be carried out on Sino Africa Huijin’s financial activities, particularly its alleged involvement in gold smuggling and organized crime.