Zanu‑PF legislator flees angry miners at funeral wake

GURUVE – Guruve North legislator Tendai Pinduka reportedly fled from a funeral wake after a group of furious illegal miners confronted him, accusing him of abandoning their long‑standing grievances and siding with Eureka Mine.

Sources told Bulawayo24 News that the MP was forced to make a hasty exit when the miners surrounded him, alleging that his syndicate enjoys preferential treatment at Eureka while ordinary miners face harassment and violent clashes with mine security.

“The angry mob claimed that the legislator has stopped representing their interests. He had to be escorted out,” one source said.

The miners also accused Pinduka of hypocrisy, saying he had failed to attend funerals of miners who died in confrontations with Eureka Mine security, yet chose to appear at a funeral unrelated to their struggles.

“It was dramatic. The MP had to be whisked away. They were shouting that he never attended funerals of victims of Eureka Mine’s inhumane treatment, yet he now shows up here,” another source said.

Contacted for comment, Pinduka denied being chased away, instead blaming the confrontation on drug and substance abuse among local youths.

“No, I wasn’t chased away. Most of our youths in Guruve are suffering from drugs and substance abuse, so they were intoxicated,” Pinduka said.

“They were complaining that I am responsible for their unemployment, saying I am not representing them when opportunities arise at Eureka Mine. Since it was a funeral wake, you avoid confrontation. You can’t stop them from displaying rogue behaviour.”

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between communities and mining operations in Zimbabwe, with Eureka Mine repeatedly accused of heavy‑handed tactics, corruption and human rights abuses.