Military-style attack on soldiers exposes violent gold network in Penhalonga

PENHALONGA – The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has raised alarm over worsening violence, unsafe mining practices and environmental destruction linked to operations by Better Brands Mining Company at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, Manicaland.

CNRG Executive Director Farai Maguwu said unlicensed mining activities involving politicians, security sector members and artisanal miners have spiraled into a major security threat.

He cited recent violent clashes, extortion and haphazard mining practices, with groups operating outside the Ministry of Mines’ regulatory framework.

According to Maguwu, three weeks ago, six soldiers were reportedly assaulted by eight men wearing Zanu-PF T-shirts emblazoned with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s portrait.

The attackers, referred to as “boyz dzamudhara,” were described by eyewitnesses as “security-trained men” who used military-style combat tactics during the altercation.

Maguwu said some groups are extorting “mutaka” (protection fees) from miners while invoking powerful political names, further destabilising the area.

“Unlicenced mining activities by politicians and members of the security sector in Penhalonga now a security threat. Violent clashes, extortion and haphazard digging now the order of the day.

“The Ministry of Mines not involved. Permits issued by the Scott Sakupwanya’s better brands.

“The situation in Penhalonga has seriously degenerated and needs an urgent solution. Government needs a proper investor to take over Penhalonga. The Better Brands model is a security threat and environmental disaster,” he said.

Better Brands, owned by Zanu-PF Mabvuku MP and gold dealer Scott Sakupwanya, has been accused of running unsafe and exploitative mining operations at Redwing Mine.

According to Maguwu, dozens of workers have died since the company began operating, with accidents often going unreported. In one incident in 2023, two employees drowned in underground flood waters at Rezende Mine, part of the Redwing complex.

A 2022 CNRG petition to the Ministry of Mines alleged that Better Brands introduced a production-sharing arrangement with artisanal miners without conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The organisation warned that lack of engineering supervision and safety protocols had led to frequent mine shaft accidents, with at least five deaths recorded monthly.

“The environmental destruction unfolding in Penhalonga is now beyond redemption,” CNRG said in its correspondence.

“An Environmental Impact Assessment was never done for the new model of mining introduced by Better Brands and subsequently no environmental management plan is in place.”

The Ministry of Mines acknowledged receipt of CNRG’s petition in August 2022, promising to consult relevant parties before providing a substantive response. Civil society groups say no meaningful action has been taken to date.

Redwing Mine, historically one of Zimbabwe’s most productive gold mines, produced 1.1 million ounces of gold between 1966 and 2004 under Metallon Corporation.

Critics say the current informalised mining model has transformed the mine into a hotspot for fatalities, illicit gold flows and violent conflict.

A CNRG report titled Zimbabwe’s Disappearing Gold: The Case of Mazowe and Penhalonga further alleged that Sakupwanya’s operations are part of a wider political network facilitating illicit financial flows estimated at US$1.9 billion annually.