#MACHETEGANGS
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For Zanu PF, it is clear that the
target is not the March 26 byelection but instead, it is the
2023 harmonised elections, and
the time is now to intimidate
people and create an atmosphere
of fear such that by the time
elections are held in 2023, many
people will not be as free to
express themselves.
Artisanal miners are not just
used against Zanu PF’s political
rivals, but Zanu PF politicians
also wield their connections to
artisanal miners to advance their
position in the ever-shifting
Zanu PF structures and it is
largely plausible that the attack
on CCC supporters attending a
rally in Kwekwe on Sunday 28
February could have been an act
manifesting ever formenting
factional fights in Zanu PF.
Information at hand suggests
that the suspects were arrested
at a lodge owned by ousted
Owen Ncube.
Artisanal miners are also used to
beef up the numbers attending
Zanu PF rallies or to cast votes
for the ruling party in opposition
strongholds, in return for tacitly
allowing miners to grab valuable
mining assets.
Looking ahead to Zimbabwe’s
2023 election, the resurgence of
machete gangs, most of whom
are artisanal miners, pose a
genuine concern to the safety of
citizens who might want to
exercise their political rights.
The ruling Zanu PF could use
machete miners as an
instrument to retain power in
targeted areas.
While artisanal miners have no
collective rights under the law it
is regrettable they will be
rendered vulnerable to abuse for
political gain during election
time.
Gang violence flourishes around
gold mines and the rule of law is
either weak or simply does not
exist as law enforcement agents
are either incapacitated, or fear
the political consequences of
taking decisive action.
This is why then the 16 people
were arrested after attacking the
CCC rally in Kwekwe, 11 were
released the following day
without proper explanation from
the police. The young people
who ply the mines as artisanal
miners tell of gross acts violence
that is common in the mines.
Some videos have been leaked
where severe torture is used to
command control.
ZPP recommends the following
measures to end gang violence
and ensure that Zimbabweans
enjoy their right to freedom of
assembly and association.
Government should revise the
country’s Mines and Minerals Act
to give artisanal mining
cooperatives legal standing, and
adequately fund the ministry of
mines unit responsible for the
artisanal mining sector
Parliament should resume its
enquiry into gold-related
violence and should look into
the role of politicians connected
to the ruling party.
In Harare, unknown assailants
broke into the house of CCCC
Vice President Tendai Biti and
attacked the security guard. Pic
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