Ndabaningi “Nick” Mangwana, permanent secretary for the Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Ministry, has questioned why foreign nationals are granted gun licenses in Zimbabwe, calling for a policy review.
His comments followed a January 21 altercation in Lower Gweru, where a Chinese national was filmed brandishing a pistol at a local over unpaid wages.
The ZRP also confirmed that a 20-year-old man was shot and injured by another Chinese national in Filabusi.
In Gweru, Liu Haifeng of Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments claimed he felt threatened by local Kholwani Dube, whom he pointed a gun at.
In a post on X, marked as his personal view, Mangwana questioned whether Zimbabweans residing in other countries are granted the same privilege of obtaining licensed firearms as foreign nationals living in Zimbabwe. He said:
<blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, we don’t have a culture of brandishing guns like some wannabe gangsters. We have a culture of responsible gun ownership.
Let’s revisit the idea of foreigners owning firearms. I don’t believe Zimbabweans living in foreign countries can easily get firearms licenses there.
</blockquote>
Commenting on the Lower Gweru incident, the Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) expressed concern over the escalating use of firearms by Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe. It said:
<blockquote>
The CNRG is deeply disturbed by the escalating use of firearms by Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe to settle labour disputes.
Similar incidents have been reported in the past, including a case where two Chinese nationals were deported for abusing a mineworker at Makanga Mine in Bindura.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/09/19/chinese-miner-sentenced-to-30-years-in-jail-for-killing-gokwe-man/">In September 2024, Cai Yulong, a Chinese national operating Stone Steel Blue Mine in Zhombe, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of a miner, injuring another, and assaulting a third person.</a>
Cai appeared before the High Court in Gokwe, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault.
He was convicted and sentenced to 30 years for murder and an additional 5 years for attempted murder. Both sentences will run concurrently.
For the assault charge, he was fined US$100 or, in default, 1 month imprisonment.

Pindula News

Nick Mangwana, a government official in Zimbabwe, thinks foreigners should not be allowed to have gun licenses in the country. He is concerned about Chinese nationals using guns in disputes. In one case, a Chinese man threatened a local with a gun over wages. Another Chinese man shot and injured a person in a different incident. Mangwana wants to review the policy on foreigners owning guns. A group called CNRG is worried about Chinese people using guns in Zimbabwe to solve problems. In the past, a Chinese man was jailed for killing a miner and hurting others.

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