By Staff Reporter
A 15-year-old boy suffered permanent spinal injuries last week following a mine shaft collapse in Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province.
The accident occurred at Plot 9, Withington Area, where prominent gold panner, Damascus Chisvo is conducting illegal mining operations without a valid title or licence.
Chisvo is reportedly resisting eviction from the premises of a widowed land holder, Mrs. Arinesu Mwedzi (née Jimu), who has been accusing him of flagrantly operating outside the law, endangering lives, and devastating her property.
After the collapse, both the minor and an adult male were seriously injured and were transported to Bindura Hospital for medical attention.
Initial reports indicated that the pair had fallen from a scotch cart—were allegedly fabricated to conceal the deadly mine accident.
The family of the victim has reportedly never received any financial assistance from Chisvo and have been left begging for assistance.
Early last year, Mwedzi pleaded with the Provincial Lands Committee, Chairperson, seeking urgent state intervention to evict Chisvo from her property.
She said her ordeal stems from the continued presence of Chisvo, a miner she now describes as an illegal operator, on Plot 9, Withington Area, despite repeated warnings and the termination of their mining arrangement.
In her complaint, Mwedzi raised a litany of allegations that include sustained verbal abuse and intimidation, the absence of mandatory approvals from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and the lack of a valid Mining Inspection Certificate from the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development.
She further alleged that Chisvo’s operations have been characterised by the unsafe handling of explosives and a complete disregard for worker safety, including the failure to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). These conditions, she said, have already resulted in serious injuries and fatalities at the site.
According to Mwedzi, Chisvo has brazenly continued mining activities even after being instructed to vacate the land, allegedly boasting that he is “untouchable” and beyond the reach of the law—leaving her with no alternative but to seek intervention from senior provincial authorities.
In a letter dated 16 October 2025, Mwedzi states that she is the lawful holder of an offer letter for a 43-hectare plot at Riverview, Withington Farm, Bindura. She further explains that she was married to the late Mr Mwedzi, a senior ZANU-PF cadre and former Chairman of Youth Affairs for the party in Mashonaland Central, who passed away in 2010.
She recounts that in 2011, Chisvo approached her with a proposal to mine gold on the property after indications of mineralisation. The two subsequently registered Quad Mining Syndicate, setting aside a two-hectare block for mining operations.
“We had a clear and mutual understanding that Mr Chisvo would comply fully with all government regulations and oversee the mining investment responsibly. Unfortunately, from the outset, the syndicate failed to honour these obligations,” Mwedzi writes.
She says she was forced to terminate the agreement after a catalogue of violations, including the absence of EMA certification, the lack of a Mining Inspection Certificate, and unpaid EMA fines.
“There has been reckless handling of explosives, no PPE for workers, and multiple incidents resulting in injuries and loss of life. Livestock has fallen into unrehabilitated pits, profits have been unfairly shared, and gold has been sold on the parallel market instead of through Fidelity Printers and Refiners,” reads part of her letter.
Mwedzi further alleges that she and her family have been subjected to sustained intimidation and verbal abuse, while mining activities have spilled well beyond the agreed block coordinates. She claims the land has effectively been overrun by more than 500 illegal artisanal miners, causing severe environmental degradation.
Despite the termination of the agreement, Mwedzi says Chisvo has flatly refused to vacate the property, issuing threats and insisting that no legal action can be taken against him.
This was not the first time she had sought official intervention. On 25 July 2025, she wrote a letter to the Provincial Mining Director in Mashonaland Central, outlining the same concerns—without any tangible resolution.
A 15-year-old boy suffered a permanent spinal injury last weekend following a mine shaft collapse in Bindura.
The accident occurred at Plot 9, Withington Area, where Damascus Chisvo is alleged to be conducting illegal mining operations without a valid title.
Chisvo has reportedly been resisting eviction from the premises of a widowed land holder, Mrs. Arinesu Mwedzi (née Jimu), who has been accusing him of flagrantly operating outside the law, endangering lives, and devastating her property.
After the collapse, both the minor and an adult male with leg injuries were transported for medical treatment.
Initial reports provided to authorities—claiming the pair had fallen from a scotch cart—were allegedly fabricated to conceal the mining accident.
It is alleged that Chisvo seems to be receiving a systematic protection as all his illegal mining activities have been reported but no arrest has been made.
The family of the victim has not received any financial assistance from Chisvo and have been left begging for assistance.
Chisvo has reportedly been resisting eviction from a widowed land holder Mrs Arinesu Mwedzi (née Jimu) who has been accusing him of flagrantly operating outside the law, endangering lives, and devastating her property.
Last year, Mwedzi escalated a desperate plea to the Chairman of the Provincial Lands Committee in Mashonaland Central, seeking urgent state intervention to evict Chisvo from her property.
She said her ordeal stems from the continued presence of Damascus Chisvo, a miner she now describes as an illegal operator, on Plot 9, Withington Area, despite repeated warnings and the termination of their mining arrangement.
In her complaint, Mwedzi raised grave allegations that include sustained verbal abuse and intimidation, the absence of mandatory approvals from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and the lack of a valid Mining Inspection Certificate from the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development.
She further alleged that Chisvo’s operations have been characterised by the unsafe handling of explosives and a complete disregard for worker safety, including the failure to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). These conditions, she said, have already resulted in serious injuries and fatalities at the site.
According to Mwedzi, Chisvo has brazenly continued mining activities even after being instructed to vacate the land, allegedly boasting that he is “untouchable” and beyond the reach of the law—leaving her with no alternative but to seek intervention from senior provincial authorities.
In a letter dated 16 October 2025, Mwedzi states that she is the lawful holder of an offer letter for a 43-hectare plot at Riverview, Withington Farm, Bindura. She further explains that she was married to the late Mr Mwedzi, a senior ZANU-PF cadre and former Chairman of Youth Affairs for the party in Mashonaland Central, who passed away in 2010.
She recounts that in 2011, Chisvo approached her with a proposal to mine gold on the property after indications of mineralisation. The two subsequently registered Quad Mining Syndicate, setting aside a two-hectare block for mining operations.
“We had a clear and mutual understanding that Mr Chisvo would comply fully with all government regulations and oversee the mining investment responsibly. Unfortunately, from the outset, the syndicate failed to honour these obligations,” Mwedzi writes.
She says she was forced to terminate the agreement after a catalogue of violations, including the absence of EMA certification, the lack of a Mining Inspection Certificate, and unpaid EMA fines.
“There has been reckless handling of explosives, no PPE for workers, and multiple incidents resulting in injuries and loss of life. Livestock has fallen into unrehabilitated pits, profits have been unfairly shared, and gold has been sold on the parallel market instead of through Fidelity Printers and Refiners,” reads part of her letter.
Mwedzi further alleges that she and her family have been subjected to sustained intimidation and verbal abuse, while mining activities have spilled well beyond the agreed block coordinates. She claims the land has effectively been overrun by more than 500 illegal artisanal miners, causing severe environmental degradation.
Despite the termination of the agreement, Mwedzi says Chisvo has flatly refused to vacate the property, issuing threats and insisting that no legal action can be taken against him.
This was not the first time she had sought official intervention. On 25 July 2025, she wrote a letter to the Provincial Mining Director in Mashonaland Central, outlining the same concerns—without any tangible resolution.
