A wave of public anger has erupted after revelations that a Chinese mining company in Mutoko quietly paid US$6,500 to the family of a Zimbabwean man who was shot dead by one of its employees — despite the company publicly branding the victim a “gangster”.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of October 9, 2025, at China Zhuhe Mining in the Makosa area, has reignited long-standing tensions over the growing pattern of abuse, exploitation, and violence by Chinese-owned mines against local workers in Zimbabwe.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Fungai Nhau (36) was fatally shot by Quijun Yu (43), a Chinese national, around 2 AM.
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of the suspect and said investigations were ongoing.
“The ZRP is investigating the circumstances in which a foreign national, Quijun Yu, shot Fungai Nhau at a mine in Makosa. The suspect is in custody, and the police will release more details in due course,” said Nyathi.
China Zhuhe Mining, where the incident occurred, released a statement claiming Nhau was part of a gang attempting to rob the mine, alleging that the engineer only fired warning shots to protect company property.
The company said Nhau’s body was found about a kilometre away from the mine, insisting that he had confessed before dying that he was part of the supposed robbery.
Despite labelling Nhau a criminal, documents obtained by ZiMetro News show that just two days later, on 11 October 2025, mine officials signed a compensation agreement with Nhau’s family.
The agreement, titled “Death of Fungai Nhau Through a Shooting Incident at Zhuhe Shuwai Mine Banze,” outlined the following settlement:
15 cattle, or US$300 per beast if paid in cash
US$200 for school fees for Nhau’s three children
A total payout of US$6,500, which the mine fully paid
The payment has sparked fierce public debate, with many questioning the company’s motives.
“If he was truly a gangster who tried to rob the mine, why pay his family thousands of dollars?” asked one Mutoko resident. “It sounds more like hush money than justice.”
The deal has amplified public frustration over what many Zimbabweans view as a pattern of abuse and impunity by Chinese investors, particularly in the mining sector.
Former finance minister Tendai Biti condemned the killing, describing it as part of a larger, unchecked “crime of extraction.”
“Chinese miners continue to exploit, underpay, and brutalize local workers while desecrating our land,” Biti said. “The government’s silence is a disgrace — it’s complicity in a new scramble for Africa.”
Environmental and human rights activist Farai Maguwu also warned that national anger was reaching boiling point.
“The people of Zimbabwe are saying enough of this abuse,” said Maguwu. “We are witnessing growing resentment against foreign investors who think they can operate above the law.”
This latest killing follows a disturbing trend of Chinese nationals accused of assaulting or shooting local workers in disputes over pay and working conditions.
Over the past few years, Zimbabweans have reported multiple cases where Chinese mine owners have whipped or shot employees, yet few have faced significant punishment.
Activists say the government’s failure to act decisively has emboldened foreign companies to mistreat local workers with impunity.
“The message being sent is clear — Zimbabwean lives are cheap when Chinese money is involved,” said one labour rights advocate.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has urged citizens to report all cases of violence and abuse, regardless of the perpetrator’s social or foreign status.
However, locals in Mutoko remain sceptical that justice will be served, fearing the case may quietly disappear like many before it.
“They killed him, called him a thief, and then paid off his family. That’s not justice — that’s bribery,” said another villager.
As Zimbabwe grapples with the consequences of its deepening ties to Chinese investors, the question remains: how many more lives must be lost before accountability takes centre stage?
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