Gold, Blood and Silence: Violence Engulfs Filabusi’s Artisanal Mining Communities

Murder, violence and rape have become the grim order of the day in Filabusi, Insiza District, where artisanal miners, commonly known as makorokoza or oGweja, are accused of reigning terror over local communities. What was once a livelihood of last resort has morphed into a deadly struggle for control of gold-rich land, leaving a trail of blood, fear and broken families.


The loss of young lives in this part of Zimbabwe has gone largely unabated. Across Filabusi and other gold mining areas nationwide, territorial disputes over gold claims have spiralled into violent gang wars. Young men are killing each other over claims, access routes and survival. The violence has become so frequent that it now feels normalised, yet its impact on communities is devastating.

A recent and painful example is the killing of a young man in Vokola, Filabusi allegedly murdered by a group of intoxicated artisanal miners who were indiscriminately attacking anyone in their path. Villagers say he was innocent, simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. This was not an isolated incident. Similar deaths continue to occur, leaving families in mourning, communities traumatised, and an entire generation of youth trapped in cycles of violence.

The mining sector in Filabusi is increasingly underpinned by machete and gang violence, reflecting a deeper class struggle over control of resource-rich areas. Analysts point out that gold rushes are a major trigger of mining-related conflicts, particularly where poverty, unemployment and weak governance collide.

Most of the young men involved are driven into illegal mining by desperation. With few economic opportunities available, gold offers the illusion of escape from poverty. However, the absence of effective regulation, protection and state support has created lawless zones where machetes, axes and knives have replaced the rule of law.

A concerned villager, Mr Phillip Air Marshal Commander Sibanda, who comes from the area where the recent killing occurred, expressed deep frustration. “We want to petition the Government of Zimbabwe to urgently take decisive action to stop the violence in gold mining areas and protect human life,” he said.

Another resident, Susan Dube, voiced shock and anger over the ongoing killings. She accused the police of allegedly shielding perpetrators and allowing evidence to disappear. “We have seen it all. The police here are corrupt, and that is why this violence continues. They eat and drink with these criminals,” she said.

She described the situation as resembling a war zone. “They use all sorts of weapons, commit killings, and violently rape young women. They are simply a law unto themselves.”

Community members claim that many crimes go unreported, as those who witness or experience violence fear arrest for illegal mining activities themselves. This silence has allowed perpetrators to operate with near impunity.

Beyond the human cost, the environmental damage is severe. Artisanal mining has caused massive degradation along tributaries feeding into rivers that supply water to surrounding communities. Open, unrehabilitated mine shafts litter the landscape, posing deadly risks to livestock and people alike.

Despite repeated assurances from law enforcement, residents say police interventions have been intermittent and unsustainable. While operations are occasionally announced, miners often return shortly afterward, emboldened by the lack of lasting consequences.

Some analysts argue that the only viable solution lies in the formalisation and regulation of small-scale and artisanal mining. Allowing young people to mine legally and safely, coupled with the deployment of professional, corruption-free security forces, could significantly reduce violence and restore order.

For now, Filabusi remains a community caught between gold and grief, where wealth beneath the soil continues to cost lives above it. The people are appealing for urgent intervention before more blood is spilled in the name of survival #ezratshisa4life