EARLIER this week, Zimbabwe took decisive action by deporting two Chinese nationals implicated in the severe mistreatment of mine workers, an incident that has sparked significant national outrage and debate regarding the conduct of foreign investors.

The controversy began when a video surfaced online, showing two mine employees being tied to the bucket of a front-end loader and hoisted into the air, their hands bound. The distressing footage quickly went viral, leading to widespread condemnation and prompting the authorities to respond.

On Wednesday, police announced that they had identified both the suspects and the victims involved in the incident at Makanga mine, situated in Bindura, roughly 88 kilometres northeast of Harare.

In a brief statement, the police indicated that ‘investigations are in progress’ without revealing the names of the Chinese nationals involved. However, later that day, government spokesperson Nick Mangwana took to social media to announce their deportation.

Mangwana posted on X, ‘The two foreign nationals involved in this abuse depicted on a video that went viral were deported (on Wednesday).’

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) strongly condemned the incident, labelling it ‘appalling, vile, inhumane, and savage.’ They called on authorities to thoroughly investigate the mine’s working conditions and ensure such abuses are prevented in the future.

This swift action by the Zimbabwean government underscores its commitment to addressing human rights violations and holding foreign investors accountable for their actions. The incident has highlighted the urgent need for stronger oversight and regulatory measures to protect the rights and well-being of workers in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

By trojannews