Zimbabwe Peace Project

The Nexus Between

Mining and Violence
E

N RIGHTS
MA
AS
HU
SO
C
ON
TI
IA

ZIM
BA
BW

Towards 2023 Elections

W/O 3/93
Campaigners for Human Rights

Select target paragraph3

● ● ●

Info
0Connections

The Nexus Between Mining and Violence: Towards 2023 Elections

Research Report

Text: The study investigates and analyses the linkages between mining, human rights abuses, political and electoral violence in Zimbabwe. Using a combination of desk research, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, it explores in detail the phenomenon of machete gangs connected to artisanal mining in Bindura, Kadoma and Kwekwe. While artisanal and small-scale mining (ASSM) has provided significant socio-economic opportunities for communities, the emergence of machete gangs associated with gold rushes and how these have evolved over time has created a toxic situation. Machete gangs emerged initially as groups of artisanal miners, commonly referred to as makorokoza, fought for control and access of gold rush sites, but over time have taken on a rather complex character. prospects for a free and fair 2023 general election. Evidence gathered in this research raises several red flags from the perspective of community safety and security, human rights, and First, some of the mining activities are conducted with no respect for private property and public infrastructure and bringing in many Second, the extent of the violence and the brutal tactics used by gangs competing for control of the gold rush sites is traumatising to socio-economic challenges. Second, the extent of the violence and the brutal tactics used by gangs competing for control of the gold rush sites is traumatising to communities. Gang wars quite often play out within communities and are continued in public spaces, like shopping centres and even public health facilities. Gangs at times target families and female partners of rivals for reprisals and indiscriminately attack residents.

Preview

Date: Aug 8, 2023

Documents

The-Nexus-Between-Mining-and-Violence.pdf
english
Download View