Ndabaningi “Nick” Mangwana, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, has raised concerns over the granting of gun licenses to foreign nationals in Zimbabwe and called for a policy review.
His remarks come after an incident on January 21 in Lower Gweru, where a Chinese national was seen threatening a local with a pistol over unpaid wages. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) also reported that a 20-year-old man was shot and injured by another Chinese national in Filabusi.
In Gweru, Liu Haifeng, associated with Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments, claimed he felt threatened by local Kholwani Dube and pointed a gun at him.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mangwana questioned whether Zimbabweans abroad have the same privilege of obtaining licensed firearms as foreign nationals in Zimbabwe. He emphasized that Zimbabwe doesn’t have a culture of brandishing firearms, unlike some individuals who try to imitate gangsters, and called for a reevaluation of policies regarding firearm ownership for foreigners. He also pointed out that it’s unlikely that Zimbabweans living overseas can easily obtain gun licenses there.
The Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) has also expressed concern about the growing use of firearms by Chinese nationals to resolve labor disputes in Zimbabwe. The CNRG highlighted past incidents, including the deportation of two Chinese nationals from Makanga Mine in Bindura for mistreating a mineworker.
Additionally, in September 2024, Cai Yulong, a Chinese national running Stone Steel Blue Mine in Zhombe, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of a miner, attempted murder of another, and assault of a third. He was convicted in the Gokwe High Court and sentenced for his crimes, with the sentences for murder and attempted murder to run concurrently, and a fine for assault.
ALSO READ : Ex-Chitungwiza Mayor Lovemore Maiko Released After Arrest for Leading Anti-ZANU PF Protest
For comments, Feedback and Opinions do get in touch with our editor on WhatsApp: +44 7949 297606.