Chinese Miner Sentenced to 30 Years for Murder and Assault in Zhombe

Gokwe – Cai Yulong, a Chinese national who operates Stone Steel Blue Mine in Zhombe, was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment following a murder and assault conviction in the High Court sitting at Gokwe.

The court heard that on May 26th, 2024, the incident took place while employees of Black Hand 10 Mine were constructing a barricade underground at a site where their mine meets with Yulong’s. As the workers were performing their duties, Yulong approached them and opened fire. The workers fled, but Yulong pursued them, shooting one worker in the thigh. The victim later succumbed to his injuries.

Yulong then proceeded to shoot another worker in the knee and thigh before assaulting a third individual, striking him on the head with his fists. The swift intervention of the police led to Yulong’s arrest shortly after the attack.

The High Court convicted Yulong of the following: Count 1: Murder, Count 2: Attempted Murder and Count 3: Assault. For the murder conviction, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. For the attempted murder, Yulong received an additional five years, with both sentences to run concurrently. He was also fined USD 100 for the assault, with a one-month imprisonment sentence in default of payment.

The case has sent shockwaves through the mining community, with authorities urging all operators to maintain peaceful relations with neighboring mining entities.

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and disputes between local miners and foreign nationals operating mines in Zimbabwe, raising questions about mine safety and conflict resolution practices.