‘Seven injured as chiefs clash over Chinese US$1 billion project’ 15 November 2021

Seven people were admitted at Chivhu District Hospital last week following violent clashes between Chief Musarurwa born Enos Musakwa and Chief Mushava’s aides over the US$1 billion Chinese project. The two warring groups are fighting over Manhize escarpment which is the site of the Government approved Chinese Tshingshan Group Holdings’s US$1 billion dollar mining project. Mining projects are money spinners for chiefs as mining companies are obliged to pay US$10 million to community share ownership schemes. Both sides are claiming ownership of the escarpment, The Mirror has been to Councillor Florence Mudzamiri confirmed the clashes and blamed Chief Musarurwa for trespassing into Chief Mushava’s area.

…Sources said the injured are Prosper Madzivire, Darlington Chinhamo, Namatirai Mudiwa, Learnmore Nharire and Tinotenda Chimondo. The injured were from Chikomba and Chivhu Hospital is still waiting for X-ray results to establish the extent of the injuries which are suspected to be severe. The matter was reported at Chivhu Police Station. Musarurwa and his aides allegedly went to Mbudzirume in Manhize which is at the border of Mash East, Mash West and Midlands provinces and also the border of several chieftainships and performed rituals in a bid to appease his ancestral spirits over the Chinese project.

…Musarurwa declined to comment saying that he was a chief who doesn’t speak to the Press. He said he did his things in the traditional way. Chief Mushava could not be reached for a comment as his phone went unanswered several times. In July this year, Chief Musarurwa was among several traditional leaders and two Government ministers who participated in rituals to appease ancestral spirits and welcome the Chinese company. President Mnangagwa is expected to officiate at a ground-breaking ceremony for the Chinese project this month