Shabanie mine shooting victims charged with public violence

By Tichaona Sibanda
28 September 2009

Three Shabanie mine workers who were shot and seriously injured by police in Zvishavane on Friday, were dragged to court on Monday and charged with public violence.

Taurai Zhou and Simbarashe Mashuku appeared in court in wheelchairs after they sustained gunshot wounds to the legs. Alois Zhou, who was shot in the hand, was able to walk, according to their lawyer Tichaona Chivasa.

The three appeared before a Zvishavane magistrate with 10 other workers who were arrested during a peaceful demonstration at the mine complex. They were all charged with public violence and released on $10 bail each. They will be back in court on 21st October.

Chivasa told SW Radio Africa the charges were laughable and that there was no evidence to suggest his clients had committed any offence.

‘These (charges) are baseless allegations. These people are innocent. They’ve been arrested and charged with public violence for engaging in legal and peaceful protests. We’ve seen the police engaging in illegal and violent actions, such as shooting and assaulting miners, without anyone being arrested,’ Chivasa added.

The peaceful sit-in protest was violently broken up by the police last week Friday when they fired teargas at the over 1000 mine workers who had gathered with their families. The miners had been staging demonstrations for the past month over salary and onwership disputes with management. The mine workers have not been paid their salaries for the past nine months.

Mining operations are still grounded amid reports that the management were moving door-to-door ordering workers to report for disciplinary hearings.

‘There is a disturbing trend that began over the weekend, where workers are being ordered to report to the mine offices to face disciplinary action. They are being charged with absence without official leave. They’re also being dismissed after the hearings and this is unfair and immoral,’ Chivasa said.

‘How can you dismiss a worker who has not been paid for nine months. Common sense will tell you these people have been loyal all along because no other employee can survice nine months without pay,’ Chivasa added.

Workers at the mine have for years been trying to find out the status of the mine, since it was taken over by government from Mutumwa Mawere, who is now in exile in South Africa.

In 2004 Mugabe’s regime placed SMM Holdings (Private) limited under the control of a state appointed administrator, Arafas Gwarazimba. Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa is reportedly involved with activities at the mine as are other top government officials.

THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Wellington Chibebe has said they will lobby for a commission of inquiry into the shootings. He also called on the resignation of the two co-Home Affairs ministers, Kembo Mohadi (ZANU PF) and Giles Mutsekwa (MDC-T) for not showing any remorse following the shootings.

Chibebe said on Saturday; ‘We want them to resign because they are presiding over anarchy. They should have issued a statement expressing remorse within the ministry by now but they have not done so.’