Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A Chinese-owned mining company operating in Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province, China Zhuhe Mining, has admitted to the fatal shooting of a Zimbabwean man, whom it described as a “gangster.”
Earlier local reports had alleged that the man was killed by his Chinese employers after demanding his salary.
However, in a statement issued on Friday, 10 October 2025, China Zhuhe Mining said the deceased was part of a gang that allegedly attacked the mine shortly after midnight on Thursday.
The company suggested the man may have been struck by a stray bullet after an on-duty Chinese engineer fired several warning shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the group. The statement reads:
“At 00:33 on the early morning of October 9, 2025, a group of gangsters climbed over the courtyard wall of the gold mine owned by China Zhuhe Mining in Mutoko, Zimbabwe, in an attempt to commit robbery.
“An on-duty Chinese engineer, armed with a legally registered security firearm for mining operations (with valid certificates), fired several warning shots into the air to stop the criminal act. The gangsters immediately fled in all directions.
“At approximately 7:00 a.m. the same day, local workers on the early shift discovered a critically injured gangster about 1 kilometre from the crime scene.
“They promptly reported the matter to Mr Zilu, the local translator who also serves as the direct supervisor.
“Mr Zilu rushed to the scene immediately; upon questioning the gangster, the latter admitted to being injured during the robbery and abandoned at the scene by his accomplices.
“Mr Zilu immediately arranged to report the case to the police, but unfortunately, the gangster had already passed away when the police arrived.
“While the police were en route to the scene, some local villagers, unaware of the truth, saw the gangster’s body and mistakenly suspected Chinese employees of improper conduct.
“They then besieged several innocent Chinese employees. Fortunately, the police arrived in time and quickly brought the situation under control.
“Currently, the local police have launched a full-scale investigation. One accomplice of the deceased gangster is cooperating with the investigation and has confessed to his involvement in the robbery. The hunt for other suspects linked to the case is still ongoing.
“The Chinese engineer involved in the incident is actively cooperating with the police investigation and awaiting the police’s final handling decision.”
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