Gwanda — Operations at the recently revived Vubachikwe Gold Mine are under renewed threat following the occupation of its mining lease by more than 200 youths, who have pitched tents and begun extracting gold ore in what mine officials describe as a coordinated and politically shielded invasion.
The occupation, unfolding on the ML16 mining lease operated by Duration Gold, has been ongoing for several weeks. Sources close to the developments allege that the group is operating under political protection, with explicit claims made on the ground allegedly by Moses Langa himself that the takeover is backed by the First Lady, Mrs Auxillia Mnangagwa, and the First Family.
When this publication visited the site on January 21 as part of a larger investigative group, large groups of youths were openly loading ore onto trucks. A police operation later that day resulted in the seizure of some equipment, but the occupiers were not removed. Mine security reports indicate that guards stationed at several shafts have previously been overpowered.
The following day, the situation escalated when the group blocked the main access road, disrupting traffic, including vehicles carrying flood relief aid. The blockade was only lifted after police intervened.
According to multiple sources, the occupation was formally launched on January 15 at the Central Shaft turn-off. Insiza North Member of Parliament losing aspirant and Zanu PF Matabeleland South provincial youth leader Moses Langa is alleged to have addressed the assembled youths, accompanied by Aldonia Gondo. During the address, Langa reportedly assured the group that their presence at the mine was sanctioned at the highest political level, explicitly citing the First Lady, Mrs Auxillia Mnangagwa, and the First Family as backing the operation.
Sources say Langa told the crowd that the area had been placed under the control of Zanu PF youths and that they would not be arrested or harassed by police. Shortly after the address, compressors and other mining equipment were moved onto the site, and illegal extraction intensified.
A truck bearing ruling party branding and without registration plates, allegedly driven by Gondo, was seen parked nearby as mining activity continued. Gondo is reportedly linked to a pending court case arising from a previous invasion at the mine.
Investigations by mine management suggest the operation is well organised. Earlier this month, tipper trucks and a front-end loader were observed operating illegally in the Sweet Waters section of the lease. A prominent local gold dealer is alleged to be facilitating the removal of large quantities of ore, with heavily laden trucks reportedly seen delivering material to a processing plant at White Farm.
Vubachikwe Mine spokesperson Robert Mukondiwa confirmed that the company is facing serious challenges but assured that they are on top of the situation. “We have seen increased numbers invading our claims. We are dealing with the issue through multiple routes, including the legal route, to bring culprits to book,” he said. He added that a recent joint operation involving police encountered resistance, even after tear gas was deployed.
However, Mukondiwa hastened to cast cold water on claims of First Family involvement, suggesting possible mischievous name dropping.
“We have seen many rogue elements come and try wrest certain parts of the mining lease using names of prominent politicians with some brazenly abusing the name of the First Family. It happened before during the King John North shaft invasion last year, but I can assure you these are fringe miscreants who have developed a habit of abusing the good name of the President and his family hoping people will cave in fear,” he said.
“If indeed the current gang is doing so that would be gravely unfortunate and I assure you they shall meet their comeuppance as we are certain that nobody of such great esteem would let their name be dragged by rogues,” said Mukondiwa.
The group is now reportedly expanding towards the Gold Duck Shaft, raising fears of ground instability and potential collapse. Blasting activity has been reported at multiple points within the lease.
Sources further allege that a delegation of Zanu PF youths led by Langa and Gondo travelled to Harare on January 19 to meet officials at the Ministry of Mines, including Minister Polite Kambamura, in an attempt to formalise the occupation.
Contacted for comment, MP Moses Langa dismissed the allegations. “All these are allegations and all are baseless and we didn’t meet the Ministry regarding the issues you mentioned,” he said. He described himself as a law-abiding public official and questioned why he would act in a manner that undermines the rule of law. He also challenged the publication to conduct a joint interview with its source.
The latest standoff follows a history of disruptive incursions at Vubachikwe, which only recently resumed operations after a violent illegal mining episode in November 2022. Previous incidents have been characterised by claims of political protection, ore looting and prolonged shutdowns.
This alleged rogue behaviour by the party youth leader is particularly worrying as it provides a bad advertisement for the presidency to the world particularly since he leads the province in which the Independence Day celebrations will be held in little over three month’s time.
It will provide an uneasy reunion as international envoys from countries where the president is courting investment under his ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ mantra shall watch as the president shakes hands with his youth league leader whose alleged actions run contrary to the spirit of attracting new investors.
The unfolding situation once again highlights the fragile balance between investment, political influence and enforcement of the law in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, where allegations of high-level patronage continue to erode confidence and threaten operational stability.
