Two illegal miners were reportedly shot dead on Wednesday at the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) concession by security guards in Chiadzwa, Manicaland.
Several others were injured when the guards shot indiscriminately without warning at a group of miners who had entered the ZCDC concession.
The incident was confirmed by Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa. He said:
Yes, I am aware, but we are still gathering facts on what transpired.
Newsday was told that the artisanal miners were several hundred and had invaded Bravo near Muchena in Marange. Said the source:
Some ZCDC guards went to investigate what was happening at the site and when they saw over 300 artisanal miners, they indiscriminately fired shots without warning, killing two on the spot and injuring dozens. The situation is tense.
When Newsday reached out to ZCDC spokesperson Sugar Chagonda for a comment, he reportedly did not pick up his mobile phone.