ZANU PF has criticized Eddie Cross, a prominent economist and former member of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), for his recent claims about Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe.
In a recent article on his website, Cross claimed that there are now more than 85,000 Chinese nationals residing in Zimbabwe.
He said the Chinese nationals are not permanent migrants but plan to return to China after exhausting the country’s mineral resources.
Cross also alleged that the Chinese are looking to transfer environmentally polluting industries to Africa, seeking to capitalize on the continent’s natural resources while avoiding environmental constraints at home.
The former MDC MP further claimed that the exploitation of Zimbabwe’s raw materials by the Chinese began after the discovery of diamonds in Marange.
He said US$30 billion in raw diamonds has been produced between 2008 and the present day, benefiting only the Chinese and old Army Generals, while the people of Marange continue to live in poverty.
In response, Farai Marapira, the Director of Information and Publicity for ZANU PF, suggested that Cross’ comments were xenophobic.
He categorically rejected the claims made by Cross and warned economic commentators against undermining the country’s economic progress by attacking investors. Said Marapira:
<blockquote>
They must be more objective in the assessment of issues. We have attacks coming from all and sometimes surprising people.
I will give an example of Eddie Cross. He wrote a full article and spent a lot of energy writing spurious lies, maliciously attacking the open door policy of the President, throwing in false figures, stating that we have 85,000 Chinese when we have only 25,000 and these are in the mining sector.
These are here at the behest of the President as he has stated that Zimbabwe is open for all.
So, these malicious attacks need to stop. These attacks are trying circumvent our natural progression which we are aspiring for as a people. They need to stop.
We cannot expect educated economists to be giving out articles which are less than bar talk or pillow talk.
</blockquote>
Marapira also rejected Cross’ claim that Zimbabwe has 9 billion tonnes of untapped Chrome deposits worth a conservative US$100 trillion. He said:
<blockquote>
Eddie Cross cannot defend the US$30 billion claim on diamonds he made… Eddie Cross cannot defend the ranking we put on our chrome deposits, he cannot do that.
So we need to stop developing thoughts of xenophobia. We need to welcome all who want to come and develop Zimbabwe with us.
</blockquote>
Chinese companies are often accused of causing environmental damage, including deforestation, pollution of water bodies, and destruction of natural habitats.
Critics argue that Chinese investors are primarily interested in extracting Zimbabwe’s natural resources, such as gold, diamonds, and lithium, without adding value locally.
There has also been numerous reports of Chinese companies violating labour rights, including poor working conditions, low wages, and even instances of sexual abuse.
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ZANU PF is mad at Eddie Cross for saying Chinese people in Zimbabwe are doing bad things. Eddie Cross said there are lots of Chinese people in Zimbabwe who want to take the country's minerals and pollute the environment. He also said they are only helping themselves, not the people of Zimbabwe. ZANU PF says Eddie Cross is spreading lies and being mean to the President. They want everyone to work together and not be mean to investors. People are worried that Chinese companies are ruining the environment and mistreating workers in Zimbabwe.

ZANU PF Warns Eddie Cross Over Claims Chinese Investors Are Exploiting Zimbabwe

A Chinese man believed to be the mastermind behind the illegal cremation of a woman in Harare has been deported.
According to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/zimbabwe-deports-chinese-mafia-boss-linked-to-illegal-cremation/">ZimLive</a>, Chen Mo Yun, 44, was flown out of Harare last Wednesday at the request of Chinese investigators.
In May, five Chinese nationals—Chen Ying, 44, Xia Wexing, 40, Guo Weilin, 32, Yan Qi, 36, and Wang Huasheng, 35—were fined US$200 each after being convicted for the unlawful cremation of Huang Tian Song without obtaining consent from her relatives. Following their conviction, they were immediately deported to China.
It is alleged that upon their return, the five men were further interrogated by Chinese authorities, during which they implicated Yun as the mastermind behind the operation. They claimed that he was running a mafia-style operation in Harare.
Huang Tian Song had died mysteriously at the Trauma Centre in Borrowdale, Harare, on May 22. The court revealed that the five men had conspired to obtain a burial order by falsely claiming they had permission from her family. However, it remains unclear what they were attempting to conceal by cremating Song’s body.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A Chinese man named Chen Mo Yun was deported from Zimbabwe for being involved in the illegal cremation of a woman in Harare. Five other Chinese men were fined and deported earlier for the same crime. They said that Yun was the one who planned everything. The woman died in May and the men lied to get permission to cremate her without her family's consent. It's not clear why they did this. Chinese investigators asked Zimbabwe to send Yun back to them.

Zimbabwe Deports Chinese "Mafia" Figure Involved In Illegal Cremation

Three Chinese nationals sustained serious injuries during a robbery at a copper processing plant in Chinhoyi on Sunday.
According to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/three-chinese-nationals-shot-in-copper-plant-robbery/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, the incident occurred around 1 AM at the Lanyun Mining Zimbabwe copper processing unit located in Alaska, on the outskirts of Chinhoyi.
The injured persons, identified as Chen Fang Jun (49), Helong (25), and Wang Yin Bin (49), are currently receiving treatment at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital.
Reports indicate that Jun was shot in the upper arm, while Helong suffered gunshot wounds to both legs. Bin also sustained injuries to both legs, with one leg fractured.
Lanyun Mining Zimbabwe director Huang, speaking through an interpreter, told NewZimbabwe.com that approximately five or six men invaded the company premises, which includes staff quarters, and forced their way into the rooms occupied by Jun, Helong, and Bin. He said:
<blockquote>
The robbers were armed with pistols and shotguns. They confronted my colleagues and started shouting “Where is the money? before shooting at them indiscriminately.
They also fired several shots into the air, before deflating tyres to three vehicles, two Toyota GD6s and a Vitz, and ransacked the place.
One of the victims surrendered US$800 which he had while a bag containing an undisclosed amount of money was stolen.
</blockquote>
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Three Chinese people got hurt in a robbery at a copper plant in Zimbabwe. They were shot by robbers who wanted money. The Chinese people are in the hospital now. The robbers had guns and took money from them. Some cars were also damaged. The police are investigating the robbery. The Chinese people will recover soon.

Three Chinese Nationals Shot And Injured In Chinhoyi Copper Plant Robbery

Two Presidential Guard and three Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officers are facing allegations of extorting US$2,000 from a Chinese miner, Enjie Zhang, at the Murodzi mining claim in Mazowe.
As reported by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/cio-presidential-guard-officers-up-for-us2000-blackmail-against-chinese-miner/">ZimLive</a>, the suspects, identified as Chamunorwa Victor Chinorwiwa (32), Hilary Maravanyika (28), Tawanda Ngoshi (39), Samuel Zvishamiso Simbabure, and Respect Zuva, allegedly posed as members of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) who were on duty.
The five, also facing robbery charges, were scheduled to be back in court on Tuesday for a ruling on their application challenging placement on remand.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, on October 19, 2024, around midday, the group connived and proceeded to the Murodzi mining claim in Mazowe.
They allegedly ordered the miner Enjie Zhang and his 25 workers to gather and sit down in one place. Said the NPA in an outline of the charges:
<blockquote>
Accused person one (Simbabure) and his accomplices ordered the complainant and the gathered mine workers to remain still as he would proceed to shoot them if they attempted to flee whilst showing a pistol which was placed on his waist.
The accused persons ordered the complainant and his fellow Chinese nationals who were present, Jinliang Xue, Hang Hainglin and Shan Dong Zhou to produce their identity documents, mining certificates and work permits.
Complainant and his Chinese counterparts produced their identity documents but failed to produce the mining certificates and work permits which they stated were in the custody of the company general manager, one identified as Hu, who was in Harare.
The accused persons accused the complainant and his fellow workers of conducting illegal mining operations in the area and demanded US$2,000 cash from the Chinese nationals so that they could release them.
They ordered the complainant to contact Hu so that she could bring the needed bribe money and the complainant complied.
</blockquote>
The court heard that Simbabure communicated with Hu using the complainant’s phone to arrange for the bribe money to be delivered to Ngoshi.
Hu then contacted informant Godfrey Zambuko, who works for Holdenfield Investments in Harare, instructing him to go to Zimbabwe House and hand over the US$2,000 bribe to Ngoshi. Said the NPA:
<blockquote>
Informant indeed proceeded to Zimbabwe House where he gave the US$2,000 bribe money to Ngoshi who is currently at large.
</blockquote>
According to court papers, one Chinese national, Hang Hainglin, escaped from the mining site and went to a nearby mine also owned by Holdenfields Investments.
There, he was given US$1,000 by another Chinese national to deliver to the accused persons in exchange for their freedom. Said the prosecution:
<blockquote>
Kelvinator Don Paricha, employed as a Chinese company interpreter, went to the accused persons and gave them US$800 which resulted in the release of the complainant and the other mine workers. The accused persons then drove off in their getaway motor vehicle.
</blockquote>
On October 21, 2024, Simbabure called Godfrey Zambuko from his mobile phone, inviting him to Zimbabwe House to discuss the need for an additional bribe payment. Said the NPA:
<blockquote>
On October 22, 2024, the informant then advised the President’s Department about the issue and the two went to Zimbabwe House where they met accused one and two leading to their arrest.
Upon arrest the two accused persons implicated four accomplices who are still at large.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Five men, including two Presidential Guard members and three CIO officers, are accused of extorting money from a Chinese miner. They pretended to be police and threatened the miner and his workers with violence if they didn't pay $2,000. The miner's associate paid some money to free them. The suspects were caught after trying to get more money. They are in court, and four other people are still on the run. The suspects face serious charges of robbery and extortion. The Chinese miner was scared and had to give money to be safe.

Presidential Guard, CIO Officers Accused Of Extorting Chinese Miner

Zambian police have arrested two Chinese nationals and recovered 29.9 kg of gold and US$200,000 in cash that had been smuggled from Zimbabwe through the Chirundu Border Post.
The arrested individuals, Zhao Yanjing and Zhao Changson were intercepted on suspicion of transporting precious stones.
In a statement released in Lusaka on Saturday, Police Public Relations Officer Rae Hamoonga confirmed that the gold and cash were concealed within the door panels of their vehicle. Said Hamoonga:
<blockquote>
Ms Zhao Yanjing and Mr Zhao Changson, who are believed to have crossed into Zambia from Zimbabwe via the Chirundu border, were intercepted by police on suspicion of carrying precious stones.
The police, acting on reliable intelligence, initiated an investigation and conducted a thorough search of the vehicle in which the suspects were traveling. During the search, officers discovered a substantial amount of cash and 29.9kg of gold.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is estimated to lose at least US$100 million in gold each month due to smuggling activities.
A 2023 Al Jazeera documentary highlights that these smuggling operations are intricate, involving a range of actors, including high-ranking officials and international trafficking networks.
This illicit trade not only robs Zimbabwe of critical revenue but also fuels corruption and hampers efforts to enhance the country’s economy and public services.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two Chinese people were arrested in Zambia for smuggling 30kg of gold and $200k cash from Zimbabwe. The gold and cash were hidden in their car doors. Zimbabwe loses a lot of money each month to smuggling. A documentary shows that smuggling involves high-ranking officials and trafficking networks. This hurts Zimbabwe's economy and public services. Police are trying to stop this illegal trade.

Zambia Police Arrest Chinese Duo Smuggling 30kg Of Gold, US$200k Cash From Zimbabwe

Nick Mangwana, the Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, has said two Chinese citizens recently filmed torturing local mine workers at the Makanga Mine in Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province, have been deported.
In a post on the social media platform X on Thursday morning, Mangwana said that the foreign nationals were deported, but did not disclose their specific nationality or identity. <a href="https://x.com/nickmangwana/status/1813845539718304092">He said</a>:
<blockquote>
The two foreign nationals involved in this abuse depicted on a video that went viral were deported yesterday to their home country.
</blockquote>
Addressing a citizen’s query on why the foreign nationals were not jailed for abusing local workers, Mangwana responded:
<blockquote>
It cost us much more as a country to feed them and secure them in prison than to send them home.
</blockquote>
The viral video footage showed one of the Chinese nationals tying up the Zimbabwean workers and suspending them in the air using a frontend loader.
The Chinese national is then said to have whipped the workers, accusing them of stealing an unspecified amount of diesel from the mine.
In a statement released on Wednesday, 17 July, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), confirmed that both the suspects and the complainants have been identified, and a thorough investigation is now underway to establish the full details of what transpired. Police said:
<blockquote>
Reference is made to a video which went viral on social media platforms depicting two handcuffed complainants being lifted by a frontend loader at the instigation of two suspects at Makanga Mine, Hereford Farm, Bindura.
The ZRP confirms that the suspects and complainants have been identified in connection with the incident which occurred on 13/07/24. Investigations are in progress.
</blockquote>
Many commenters on Mangwana’s social media post expressed scepticism about his claims, questioning why the foreign nationals were not subjected to the due legal process.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two Chinese people who tortured Zimbabwean mine workers have been sent back to their country. The workers were tied up and beaten. The Zimbabwe police are investigating the incident. Some people are unhappy that the foreigners were not punished in Zimbabwe. The officials say it would cost too much to keep them in jail. The case has caused a lot of debate and discussion.

Chinese Nationals Accused Of Torturing Local Mine Workers Deported, Says Mangwana

Five Chinese nationals have been fined US$200 each by a Zimbabwean court after they were convicted of unlawful cremation of a body without consent from his relatives.
As reported by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/five-chinese-nationals-fined-for-unlawful-cremation/">ZimLive</a>, Chen Ying, 44, Xia Wexing, 40, Guo Weilin, 32, Yan Qi, 36 and Wang Huasheng, aged 35, were convicted at their own plea of guilt after admitting they cremated one Huang Tian Song’s body.
Hung died on May 22 this year at Trauma Centre, Harare.
The five Chinese nationals appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo charged with contravening Section 17 of the Burial and Cremation Act, alternatively making false declaration and misrepresentation for cremation.
In passing the sentence, the magistrate considered that the five “did not waste the court’s time and were quick to plead.”
Prosecuting, Nomsa Kangara said that on May 22, a Chinese national, Huang Tian Song died at the Trauma Centre in Borrowdale, Harare.
The five, acting in common purpose, took the body to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for a post-mortem.
They then visited the Registrar General’s Office to acquire a burial order on 22 May 2024. Said Kangara:
<blockquote>
After obtaining the burial order, the accused, connived and produced a false document in the form of an affidavit in Ying’s name purporting to have been granted permission by the deceased’s relatives and caused the body of the deceased to be cremated by Monson Funeral Parlour.
</blockquote>
The court ordered the five to pay the fine by June 7 or risk three months imprisonment.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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