Midlands Correspondent
SHURUGWI – One person died, while three others were injured and five excavators set ablaze following violent clashes between artisanal miners and security personnel at Chenxi Mine Site Four in the Wanderer mining area, Shurugwi.
The violence, which erupted on Monday night, November 2, 2026, is believed to have started after mine security personnel moved to remove artisanal miners who had allegedly invaded the company’s gold claims.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed that investigations are underway following the incident
In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the issue.
“One person died, three others were injured and five excavators were set on fire,” Nyathi said.
Videos circulating on social media captured scenes of destruction at the mine, with several excavators engulfed in flames as workers desperately attempted to put out the fire.
In another video, a group of suspected artisanal miners could be seen attempting to disarm a Chinese national believed to be an official of Chenxi Mine, as tensions escalated at the mining site.
An eyewitness said the situation deteriorated after security personnel confronted artisanal miners who had allegedly entered the company’s mining premises.
Earlier reports indicated that some mine security personnel were severely assaulted during the clashes.
The latest incident highlights growing tensions over access to gold claims in the Shurugwi mining area, where disputes between established mining companies and artisanal miners have periodically erupted into violence.
Police said further details would be released as investigations progress.
