News / National
Gunshots as Zanu-PF youths fight over gold claim
14 Dec 2024 at 10:40hrs | Views
Violent clashes broke out in Goromonzi North on Wednesday following a dispute over a newly discovered gold deposit at Lonely Park Farm, owned by Antony Retzlarf. The unrest was sparked by Zanu-PF youths who demanded to be included in the gold mining operations at the site after villagers claimed to have discovered the gold.
The youths, led by Zanu-PF leaders from Vhuta Ward 13, also accused Pardon Chibamu, the party's Mashonaland East provincial youth league secretary for education, of using his political influence to take control of the gold claim, which they had found. The situation quickly escalated when the group, chanting war songs and waving placards, stormed the farm, where they attacked Chibamu and caused significant damage to his Toyota Fortuner vehicle.
A letter, dated December 10, addressed to Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial chairperson Daniel Garwe, was signed by several Zanu-PF leaders from Vhuta, including the area councillor Peter Million. The letter expressed the villagers' dissatisfaction with Chibamu's actions. "We hereby (submit) a complaint to your respective office against the offer of mine site given to Pardon Chibamu by the farmer Antony Retzlarf," the letter stated. "The Vhuta community discovered a gold belt at Lonely Park Farm, and when it got to the ears of Pardon Chibamu, he misled Mr. Retzlarf and negotiated to get the place using his party muscle."
Ceylon Gotora, the secretary of the Vhuta community, confirmed the violence, stating that gunshots were fired during the confrontation, and four villagers were arrested. "We wrote a letter to the province, it was delivered, but we are yet to get a response. Some gunshots were fired on the day, and four villagers were arrested over the issue. They are appearing in court today," Gotora said.
Chibamu, however, defended his actions, claiming that he was the legitimate owner of the mining rights for the site. "I am the legitimate owner of the mine, I have the required documents to prove it," he said. "There are people who are just dragging the name of the party into the mud. Those who demonstrated at the mine are not even Zanu-PF people. Zanu-PF people are disciplined. People should learn to follow and respect the processes. We are legally mining in the area. Mining is all about paperwork."
Despite Chibamu's claims of legitimacy, the incident highlights growing tensions around gold mining claims in the region, with accusations of political interference and exploitation of power. Efforts to reach Zanu-PF provincial spokesperson Tatenda Mavetera for a comment were unsuccessful as she did not respond to queries.
The situation in Goromonzi North remains tense, and the authorities have yet to provide a resolution. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for further violence and the role of politics in the control of mining resources.
The youths, led by Zanu-PF leaders from Vhuta Ward 13, also accused Pardon Chibamu, the party's Mashonaland East provincial youth league secretary for education, of using his political influence to take control of the gold claim, which they had found. The situation quickly escalated when the group, chanting war songs and waving placards, stormed the farm, where they attacked Chibamu and caused significant damage to his Toyota Fortuner vehicle.
A letter, dated December 10, addressed to Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial chairperson Daniel Garwe, was signed by several Zanu-PF leaders from Vhuta, including the area councillor Peter Million. The letter expressed the villagers' dissatisfaction with Chibamu's actions. "We hereby (submit) a complaint to your respective office against the offer of mine site given to Pardon Chibamu by the farmer Antony Retzlarf," the letter stated. "The Vhuta community discovered a gold belt at Lonely Park Farm, and when it got to the ears of Pardon Chibamu, he misled Mr. Retzlarf and negotiated to get the place using his party muscle."
Chibamu, however, defended his actions, claiming that he was the legitimate owner of the mining rights for the site. "I am the legitimate owner of the mine, I have the required documents to prove it," he said. "There are people who are just dragging the name of the party into the mud. Those who demonstrated at the mine are not even Zanu-PF people. Zanu-PF people are disciplined. People should learn to follow and respect the processes. We are legally mining in the area. Mining is all about paperwork."
Despite Chibamu's claims of legitimacy, the incident highlights growing tensions around gold mining claims in the region, with accusations of political interference and exploitation of power. Efforts to reach Zanu-PF provincial spokesperson Tatenda Mavetera for a comment were unsuccessful as she did not respond to queries.
The situation in Goromonzi North remains tense, and the authorities have yet to provide a resolution. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for further violence and the role of politics in the control of mining resources.
Source - newsday
