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Zimbabwean Artisanal Miners Fear Resurgence of Violence

Columbus Mavhunga

   MAZOWE, ZIMBABWE - Deadly violence in Zimbabwe's gold mining sector was
   a problem for years until COVID-19 restrictions brought it to a sudden,
   surprising halt. Now, with lockdown measures gradually lifting, some in
   the sector fear the violence will return.

   Violence associated with Zimbabwe's gold mining sector killed hundreds
   of people in 2019 and early 2020, according to a new report from the
   International Crisis Group.

   The violence stemmed from miners fighting over gold or gangs robbing
   miners at gunpoint.

   Anouk Rigterink is a former fellow at the International Crisis Group
   who contributed to the report. She said the fighting is crippling
   investment in the sector.

   "It is also important to consider how this violence affects Zimbabwe's
   long term prospects of attracting investors," Rigterink said. "This
   violence makes investing in Zimbabwe's gold more risky. This means
   attracting investors with shorter time horizon; those who want to make
   quicky money by perhaps engaging in patronage economy. Whereas what
   Zimbabwe really wants is a speck of, spread of investors including
   those with patient capital who want to develop mines etc and this
   violence is not good to such investment."'¯

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