The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) in partnership with the Churches Convergence on Peace (CCOP) and Zimbabwe Christian Council (ZCA) has met various stakeholders in Gwanda, Matabeleland South, to hold a mediation exercise over the Vova Mine clashes that left one dead in October this year.
Stakeholders from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, police, chiefs, the local peace committee, as well as the local town council met last week to ascertain the cause of the violent clashes between artisanal miners that have settled at the mine.
Presenting a report on the matter, Mr Godswill Muzarabani who works in partnership with CCOP and ZCA, said the newly appointed district peace committee engaged and launched investigations into the Vova Mine incident. One person was killed, while 19 others were injured and had to be admitted to hospital, after violent clashes between gangs erupted at Vova.
“It is alleged that the victim was hacked and had multiple injuries from machetes that resulted in his death, as he was fleeing from his perpetrators. The other 19 were admitted to UBH and at a local hospital in Gwanda. The incident had ethnic undertones and left the community in a state of shock,” said Mr Muzarabani.
He said representatives from CCOP visited the injured in hospital and recorded statements.
“On 10 October ZCA, CCOP and NPRC had a meeting with the Minister of State to discuss ways of intervening and mediation processes on conflict. The minister gave a brief account of the history of the conflict and other issues of concern in Gwanda,” said Mr Muzarabani.
He said the local peace committee had been extensively working to establish the root cause of the conflicts in the area, saying that documented reports and their findings were different.
“Police arrested some miners as suspects of the murder. The account given by the miners did not match that of the victim’s story, police or media. Vova Mine does not necessarily have ethnic driven conflicts but problems with thugs from different areas. Despite multiple reports being made they appeared untouchable. They claimed the gang had been terrorising the Vova Mine area and were responsible for other crimes,” he said.
Matabeleland South police spokesman Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele urged the community to assist police in any way possible and desist from engaging in corrupt activities.
“Let us desist from any form of corruption. As police we are here to assist and also need assistance from you the community to execute our duties to the fullest. There are instances that some police officers drag their feet. We are saying such individuals should be reported and be punished for their actions. Also stop giving bribes to police, corruption is a two-way thing and needs to be nipped in the bud,” said Chief Insp Ndebele. @peterkmatika
