EnviroPress Reporter
Two Zimbabwean employees at Bikita Minerals, a major lithium mining company, were allegedly assaulted by Chinese nationals working at the same mine. The incidents, which sources claim were captured on video, have raised concerns about workplace safety and the alleged illegal employment of foreign nationals.
In one of the incidents, Talent Mupoti, a supervisor in the bagging unit, was reportedly attacked by a Chinese national identified only as Wang (pictured). A video of the assault, purportedly from CCTV footage, shows Wang repeatedly punching, pushing, and kicking Mupoti.
Watch video of the assault here
Despite being assaulted, Mupoti remains composed and attempts to retreat, but was pursued and tackled to the ground by Wang.
Sources claim that after the initial assault, Mupoti reported the incident to his supervisor, who is also Chinese, but no action was taken. The next day, Wang allegedly attacked Mupoti again, and this time Mupoti fought back. As a result, Mupoti was immediately suspended by the company’s Chinese management after submitting the report that he was requested to write, but Wang remained at work.
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In a separate incident, another Chinese national, identified as Yang, is accused of assaulting an employee named Fortunate Moyo with a pipe wrench, causing injuries to his head.
Sources allege that the mine’s human resources department, which is reportedly controlled by Liu Rui (also known as Martin), ordered Moyo to return to work without receiving any medical attention.
Sources allege that Liu Rui is attempting to cover up the incidents and prevent police from investigating, raising suspicions that Wang and Yang may not have valid work permits.
“Liu is employing cover-up tactics with the police and immigration officers,” a source stated. “He runs the company like a mini mafia state and protects only his countrymen, ignoring the daily abuses that happen at the mine.”
When contacted for comment, Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was unaware of the specific incidents but promised to investigate the matter.
“I will look at that particular case and provide a comment later. At the moment, I haven’t been briefed about it,” Inspector Dhewa said.
Bikita Minerals’ public relations officer, Collen Nikisi, requested questions be sent via email but had not responded by the time of publication.
