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.

Pindula News

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

A Zimbabwean man was involved in a violent confrontation with his Chinese employers in Gweru on January 21 after he demanded his unpaid wages.
After videos of the confrontation circulated on social media, Zimbabweans have demanded government action against Chinese investors accused of exploiting local workers.
As reported by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/chinese-miner-draws-gun-at-worker-demanding-overdue-wages/">ZimLive</a> incident at Bijou Farm in Gweru involved Kholwani Dube, an excavator operator for Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments, a Chinese-owned company.
Videos show a man, believed to be Dube, shouting, “I want my money! I want my money!” before the situation escalates. Reports claim Dube was owed $600 in unpaid wages.
Caston Matewu, MP for Marondera Central, condemned the incident on X and called for the arrest of the Chinese nationals involved.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) criticized Chinese miners, saying local people suffer inhumane treatment from them. ZCTU said on X:
<blockquote>
We are outraged by the continued unbecoming behaviour of the Chinese. No worker deserves such inhuman treatment.
[The Police] &amp; other authorities need to reign in these brutes lest workers resort to self-help measures to defend themselves.
</blockquote>
However, in a statement, Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments claimed that Dube disregarded instructions, took an excavator without authorisation, and threatened supervisors by attempting to run them over. The statement reads:
<blockquote>
Liu Haifeng fired a warning shot into the air, taking into account firearm safety procedures and without harming anyone.
During a physical altercation, Dube stabbed and seriously injured Liu Haifeng, who was later hospitalised.
</blockquote>
The company added that Dube was restrained by other employees and handed over to the police without injury.
However, the video showed at least three Chinese nationals huddled over Dube, with one kneeling on his back and pointing a gun at his head. The others were applying restraints on Dube.
There was also a large amount of blood on the soil nearby, although it was not clear from the video who was bleeding.

A man from Zimbabwe asked for his money from his Chinese boss, but things got violent. The man said he was owed $600. People in Zimbabwe are upset and want the government to do something. The Chinese company said the man tried to hurt them with a machine. One person was injured and went to the hospital. The company said they followed gun safety rules. The police came and took the man away. People saw a video with blood and a gun, but it's not clear what happened. People are worried about workers being treated badly by Chinese companies.

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