Police in Midlands Province have launched a manhunt for six young men suspected to be part of a gang of nine who allegedly killed a 66-year-old man during a reign of terror in Lower Gweru.
Boniface Nkomazana was reportedly killed by a group of machete-wielding men in Butete village under Chief Bunina around 11 PM on Saturday while walking home.
Police believe Nkomazana’s killers were part of a group of nine young men who had been moving around the village, assaulting people in their homes. Three suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murder.
The spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Midlands Province, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, said Nkomazana was discovered on Sunday morning by a passer-by.
Lovemore Sibanda, a 38-year-old from Butete village, Lower Gweru, found the victim lying in a pool of blood around 7 AM.
Police from Maboleni, who attended the scene, observed that the victim had a broken right leg, with a protruding bone at the ankle. The gang was allegedly armed with knives and machetes. Said Mahoko:
<blockquote>
He was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital and a docket of attempted Murder was opened. Bornface Nkomazana died while on the way to hospital.
Investigation so far have revealed that Bornface Nkomazana was attacked by a group of nine youths, some of whom being residents of Jali village, Chief Bunina, Lower Gweru who are alleged to have moved from door to door in Butete village assaulting villagers.
Three other reports from the affected villagers were also made at Maboleni police station.
Quick follow-ups made by the station resulted in the arrest of the three suspects who are in Police custody. Six others are yet to be arrested.
</blockquote>
Mahoko identified the three arrested suspects as Thabani Ncube (19), Confidence Sibanda (20), and Mthulisi Ndebele (23), all from Jali village.
Police are appealing to the public for any information that may help locate the remaining six suspects, who have been identified as Thulisani Ndlovu, Takana Ndlovu, Denis Ndlovu, Peter, Sean, and Nqabutho.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200039367/police-hunt-for-six-suspects-after-gruesome-lower-gweru-gang-murder">NewsDay</a>

Pindula News

In Lower Gweru, a gang of nine young men went on a violent rampage, attacking people with machetes. They killed a 66-year-old man while he was walking home. The police have caught three suspects but are still looking for six more. The victim was found with a broken leg and died on the way to the hospital. The community is asked to help find the remaining suspects. The arrested suspects are from Jali village. The police are working hard to bring all the gang members to justice.

Machete Gang Unleashes Reign Of Terror In Lower Gweru

By Farai Maguwu
On Wednesday the 22nd of January 2025, disturbing videos emerged on social media showing a violent confrontation between Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments management and employee Kholwani Dube.
Following the release of the videos, the company issued a statement giving its own version of what happened.
Later, the Zimbabwe Republic Police issued a public statement confirming the violent incident, dated 23 of January 2025.
To provide a balanced perspective, we are conducting a detailed analysis of the publicly available information regarding the incident between Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments and employee Kholwani Dube, as only one side of the story has been reported so far.
We analyzed the incident by compiling multiple short videos and applying a fusion model that combines speech and visual features.
This comprehensive approach provides a coherent and accurate understanding of events.
Wage dispute gone wrong?
The videos series reveals a heated exchange between the employee, Kholwani Dube, and his employer, Mr. Lui Haifeng.
Dube repeatedly demands his unpaid wages, shouting “I want my money, shoot me!” Mr. Haifeng responds aggressively, telling him to “shut up.”
This exchange suggests a long-standing conflict fueled by the employer’s failure to pay Dube’s wages, causing significant frustration and distress.
Notably, Dube’s plea to “shoot me” appears to be a response to Mr. Haifeng’s words or actions, implying a perceived threat to his life.
This call to ‘shoot me’ by Mr Dube indicates that he was responding to words and/or actions of Mr Haifeng indicating an intention to shoot him.
At this stage we clearly observe the cause of the conflict – nonpayment of wages. This sharply contradicts the Statement released by Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments which claimed that Dube “…was observed repeatedly disregarding instructions from his supervisors on a construction site.” The company statement fails to give background information leading to the unusual behaviour by Dube.
Be that as it may, there was still room to de-escalate the conflict by persuading Dube to disembark from the excavator and come for dialogue.
Armed with a pistol, the employer took aim at Dube, who at one time had to protect himself from the shots being fired with the excavator bucket.
The employer is seen moving to both sides of the excavator bucket as he continues to point his pistol at Dube.
According to an audio recorded by an eyewitness circulating on social media, Mr Haifeng fired 6 shots at Dube.
The witness stresses that Mr. Haifeng fired live ammunition at Dube, but this claim cannot be corroborated through the videos.
From the beginning, our conflict analysis reveals the root cause: non-payment of wages, contradicting the company’s statement that Dube disregarded instructions.
The employer, armed with a pistol, escalated the situation, firing shots at Dube, who used the excavator bucket for protection.
Dube could be seen rotating the excavator cab 360 degrees and at one time stretching the bucket teeth without reaching the employer.
At no point did he move the excavator towards the employer, even an inch. This is very important in determining who was the aggressor between the two. 
At least we should have seen Dube driving the excavator towards Haifeng, chasing him and threatening to overrun him. But instead, it is Haifeng who is seeing trying to find an angle to fire at Dube.
All video evidence available contradicts the statement by the company which claims “Dube even attempted to run over the Manager Liu Haifeng with the excavator…”
On the contrary, it is Mr Haifeng who tried unsuccessfully to take Dube’s life. According to an audio recorded by an eyewitness, Dube used the excavator bucket teeth to defend himself from shots fired by Haifeng.
The company statement claims “Mr Liu Haifeng fired a warning shot into the sky, considering all firearm handling and safety procedures.”
Again, this is refuted by the evidence at hand which clearly shows Haifeng pointing his gun towards Dube.
What could the employer have done?
If Dube was a threat, then he was a danger to himself than to any other person. He was clearly unstable and frustrated as demonstrated by his shouts for his money and daring the employer to shoot him.
The employer was supposed to call the Zimbabwe Republic Police and temporarily vacate the scene until Police arrives.
In the interim Dube’s workmates, with whom he supposedly had no qualms, could have been asked to try and restrain him.
Someone not involved in the confrontation could have played a mediatory role in the interim as they awaited the Police to arrive.
Further, a proper company purporting to be a good corporate citizen must have trained security personnel on the ground.
The moment Dube started behaving abnormally the matter must have been immediately handed over to company security.
However, we see the company executives engaging in violent confrontation with Dube, including discharging a firearm, which was an apparent attempt at Dube’s life.
Taking the law into their hands?
The video ends with Dube being violently tied with what looked like a wire, and a gun pointed to his head. A Chinese national is profusely bleeding on the leg from an alleged knife attack by Dube.
The moment of the knife attack is not captured on videos circulating in the public domain. A lot of action is lost between Dube’s disembarkation from the excavator and capture by the Chinese nationals. 
There seems to have been a major escalation leading to the knife attack. In the absence of video evidence, it is not possible to judge whether the knife attack was an act of aggression or self-defense on the part of Dube.
Nevertheless, as Dube lay face down, tied hands and legs, two people are heard discussing the knife attack.
The two Zimbabweans are first heard complaining that “asungwa zvisiri right” with the other concurring “asungwa zvisina kunaka” meaning Dube was tied in a very inhuman and cruel manner.
One then asks “ko uyu anga aitawo sei nhai” meaning what had this one done which resulted in him being stabbed.
The other replied, anga achida kumurwisaka, aine pfuti, atombopfura 3 shots” meaning he wanted to attack him with a gun, in fact he fired 3 shots at Dube.
However, it is clear from the video that the Chinese nationals were using disproportionate force in tying Dube, including the inappropriate use of the gun.
The manner in which he was tied did not allow any movement of his body. It was a clear act of torture as confirmed by his workmates in the audio.
By this time Dube had been disarmed of the knife hence he paused minimum danger to anyone.
An isolated incident?
This is not an isolated incident. There is a growing public anger regarding the ill treatment of Zimbabweans by Chinese nationals.
In a Police memo issued yesterday on the Gweru incident, Police also reported that Mthahandazo Sibanda (20) was shot with a 9mm Derya pistol by a Chinese national whilst allegedly stealing gold ore at Binyup Mine 5 in Filabusi on the 20th of January 2025. 
In 2024, CNRG reported the shooting of Emmanuel Geje in Shurugwi by a Chinese national for allegedly trespassing at a gold mine.
The shooting of Zimbabweans by Chinese nationals has become a national security threat that cannot be ignored anymore.
What must the government of Zimbabwe do?
The first and most important response to the Gweru incident is to investigate whether Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments is properly registered to operate in Zimbabwe.
If the answer is yes, there is also needed to investigate whether the company is complying with all its statutory and regulatory requirements such as paying monthly dues to NSSA.
Further, since this is apparently a labour dispute, the Ministry of Labor ought to investigate the labour practices of Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments, i.e. whether all workers are on contract, wages meet the national standards stipulated by the relevant act and regulations and safety and health standards of the company.
The next phase is to broaden the inquiry. The Government sets the tone of how investors ought to behave and treat Zimbabwean citizens.
Improving the ease of doing business is not the same as tolerating aggression against citizens and suspension of the rule of law.
Government needs to be vocal in reading the rules to investors and abandon the affirmative action toward China whereby Chinese nationals enjoy special treatment from authorities whilst they are brutalizing citizens.
There is also need for a clear database of Chinese investments in Zimbabwe, giving their names, shareholders and areas of operation. This information should be available online and be accessible with the click of a button.
Government must also screen Chinese nationals intending to do business in Zimbabwe. There are several Chinese entities operating illegally in Zimbabwe.
This information is also available in parliamentary reports and Hansard. There is no self-respecting country that allows foreign nationals to come in and operate without authorization. There must be severe consequences for operating in Zimbabwe illegally.
Farai Maguwu a Zimbabwean human rights activist, social and political commentator, writes in his personal capacity. He is the founding Director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), a leading organization working on improved governance of natural resources in Zimbabwe.

The article talks about a violent incident between a Chinese company and a Zimbabwean worker over unpaid wages. The worker demanded his money and the employer pointed a gun at him, firing shots. The worker used an excavator bucket to protect himself. Later, the worker was tied up in a cruel manner. This is not the first incident involving Chinese nationals hurting Zimbabweans. The government needs to investigate the company's operations and ensure Chinese investors follow the rules. They should also have a database of Chinese investments and screen Chinese nationals coming to Zimbabwe. The government must protect its citizens and hold those who break the law accountable.

An Analysis Of The Gweru Shooting Incident

Police have launched an investigation into a violent incident involving a Chinese national and a local man at Bijour Farm, Lower Gweru, on 21 January.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Paul Nyathi identified the Zimbabwean national as Kholwani Dube (38) but did not reveal the Chinese national’s identity. Said Nyathi:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating an assault and pointing of a firearm incident which occurred at Bijour Farm, Lower Gweru, Midlands Province on 21st January 2025.
Kholwani Dube (38) stabbed a Chinese national with an okapi knife on the leg after a labour dispute while the Chinese national pointed a firearm at Khowani Dube.
Both the Zimbabwean national and Chinese national are facing criminal charges.
</blockquote>
Videos on social media show a man, believed to be Dube, shouting, “I want my money! I want my money!” before the situation escalates. Reports say Dube was owed $600 in unpaid wages by his Chinese employers.
Dube is an excavator operator for Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments, a Chinese-owned company.
The video shows at least three Chinese nationals over Dube, with one kneeling on his back and pointing a gun at his head. The others were restraining him.
There was a lot of blood on the ground, but it was unclear who was bleeding.
Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments released a statement on 21 January claiming that Dube disregarded instructions, took an excavator without authorisation, and threatened supervisors by trying to run them over. The statement reads:
<blockquote>
In the morning hours, Kholwani Dube, an excavator operator employed at Bijou Farm in Gweru, was observed repeatedly disregarding instructions from his supervisors on a construction site.
In accordance with company policies and Zimbabwean Labour Laws, Mr. Dube was warned and subsequently suspended from his duties pending a formal investigation into the matter.
At approximately 16:00 on the same day, it was reported that Mr. Dube robbed the keys to excavator (Equipment No. 28) from the other driver and drove the vehicle towards supervisors Mr. Hu and Mr. Chen, exhibiting behaviour that posed a serious threat.
Despite their efforts to intervene safely, Mr. Dube’s actions necessitated immediate reporting to the Farm Manager, Mr. Liu Haifeng, and his deputy, Mr. Huo Haopeng.
Dube even attempted to run over the manager LIU Haifeng with the excavator all this while putting other employees and assets at risk.
Farm manager fired a warning shot into the sky, taking into account all firearm handling and safety procedures and without harming anyone.
During the skirmish, Deputy farm manager HUO Haopeng contacted the police at Gweru Rural Police Station who were unfortunately unable to respond immediately due to transport challenges. 
Dube then suddenly attacked LIU Haifeng who then defended himself out of instinct, grabbing the driver by the collar. The two were embroiled in a fistfight in which five other employees broke up.
It was during the fistfight that Dube stabbed and seriously injured LIU Haifeng on his left leg. Fellow employees disarmed Dube.
LIU Haifeng was taken to the hospital for medical treatment, while other employees took the driver to the police.
Dube was not injured in the process and is currently in police custody. No other employees were injured.
We also regret to state that some publications rushed to publish inaccurate versions of the incident in what appears to be yet another attack on Chinese investors in Zimbabwe using false information.
We also take this opportunity to urge the media to verify facts and report accurately without bias.
Our company is a law-abiding company and remains committed to best labour and business practices which employ legal conflict resolution strategies.
We are also committed to being a part of building Zimbabwe in the productive sectors and creating employment for thousands of Zimbabweans.
</blockquote>

A Chinese national and a Zimbabwean man got into a fight at a farm in Lower Gweru. The Zimbabwean man, Kholwani Dube, stabbed the Chinese man with a knife during a dispute over unpaid wages. The Chinese man pointed a gun at Dube during the fight. Dube works for a Chinese company called Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments. The company claims that Dube was causing trouble and tried to run his supervisors over with an excavator. The Chinese man was injured, and Dube is now in police custody. The company says some news reports about the incident are wrong and they follow the law.

Chinese National Stabbed In Lower Gweru

Three assailants fatally stabbed a 39-year-old man from Lower Gweru in a revenge attack on Christmas Eve.
Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, the ZRP spokesperson for Midlands Province, confirmed the incident which occurred around 11 PM.
The victim, Nqobizitha Mazibuko, was attacked along a dusty road leading from Madigane Business Centre in Madigane Village, under Chief Sogwala. Said Mahoko:
<blockquote>
Mazibuko’s assailants, identified as Thabani Mpofu, Nqabutho Bhebhe, and Nkosilathi, confronted him about a past assault, seeking revenge. Despite Mazibuko’s attempt to flee, the suspects chased after him and fatally stabbed him.
</blockquote>
An eyewitness attempted to intervene and save Mazibuko from the attack but was unable to do so. Said Mahoko:
<blockquote>
The suspects fled the scene, leaving Mazibuko lying on the road. Mazibuko’s body was discovered around 5 AM on Christmas Day.
</blockquote>
Mahoko said police officers from Maboleni responded to the scene and are currently investigating the incident.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A 39-year-old man named Nqobizitha Mazibuko was stabbed to death by three people in a revenge attack on Christmas Eve in Lower Gweru. The attackers, Thabani Mpofu, Nqabutho Bhebhe, and Nkosilathi, chased Mazibuko and killed him even though he tried to run away. An eyewitness tried to help but couldn't stop the attack. The attackers ran away, leaving Mazibuko's body on the road. The police are now investigating the incident.

Lower Gweru Man (39) Killed By 3 Assailants In Revenge Attack

Machete gangs have since July 2018 been invading Mangwande Primary School in Lower Gweru prompting teachers to desert the institution as they feared for their lives.
NewsDay reports that the school is now left with five teachers out of a staff complement of 14.
Teachers fled after a female colleague was assaulted and gang-raped by five machete-wielding youths as her three minor children watched.
The machete gang then force-marched the head to the school cash vault which they failed to break.
They then searched other teachers’ houses and stole various items.
Two members of the gang were later arrested and jailed for 37 years each.
A parent with a child at Mangwande School, Thomson Moyo said children in Grade Four and Grade Six had not been attending classes for the whole of the last term. Moyo said:
<blockquote>_It’s disheartening that our children are failing to learn due to shortages of teachers mainly caused by desertions because of machete gang terror._
_From the information we have gathered, the teachers were saying they fear for their lives._</blockquote>
Another parent, Esnath Mlalazi said following the robbery at the school three years ago, teachers deserted their staff cottages before they left the school in successive years. She said:
<blockquote>_They started by deserting the school staff houses, saying they feared for their lives before they went on to transfer from the school in successive years._</blockquote>
Addressing a meeting organised by churches last year, Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Larry Mavima said there was a need to decisively deal with the machete gangs.
He called on stakeholders to join hands with police and put an end to machete gangs, whom he said had become “warlords” with “potential to start civil wars”.
Machete gangs have in the past three years been targeting and terrorising gold mining towns.
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/06/teachers-desert-school-over-machete-gangs/">NewsDay</a>

Teachers Desert School Over Machete Gang Invasions

A mother from Lower Gweru, Midlands Province has been arrested for allegedly fatally assaulting her eight-year-old daughter with a sjambok after she went to play with her friends at a neighbour’s homestead.
According to police, the incident happened in Matshaya Village, Chief Sogwala in Lower Gweru, on Wednesday afternoon.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said Maria Ruhwizhi (38) assaulted her daughter with a whip all over her body resulting in her death. Said Mahoko:
<blockquote>Police are investigating a murder case in which an eight-year-old girl died after being assaulted by her mother.
The now deceased girl was assaulted by her mother Maria Ruhwizhi who used a black leather sjambok on her all over her body.</blockquote>
Insp Mahoko urged parents to desist from using too much force when disciplining their children as this leads to unnecessary loss of life.
In another development, a Grade 4 pupil at Peakmine Primary School in Shurugwi was electrocuted on Monday evening when he opened a cage to feed chicks. Electricity was connected to give light to the chicks.
Insp Mahoko said Kupakwashe Chakanyuka, from Shurugwi, was electrocuted when he tried to open the cage.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/mother-murders-daughter8/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZBC News</a></h4>

Lower Gweru Latest News

Latest Jobs