KEY POINTS
- Chinhoyi High Court halts Beijing Broadtec’s mining at Mukovo 12.
- Judge Philda Muzofa rules company acted unlawfully and violated estate rights.
- Broadtec accused of evicting workers, vandalising equipment, and stationing guards.
Justice Philda Muzofa of the Chinhoyi High Court issued a provisional interdict stopping Beijing Broadtec, its employees, and agents from carrying out mining or interfering with the estate. The order will remain in force until the Minister of Mines decides on an appeal.
The estate’s executor, Elmon Mutizira, approached the court after the company allegedly invaded the mine on June 27, evicted workers, vandalised equipment, and stationed guards at the site.
Judge’s reasoning about Beijing Broadtec mining
Justice Muzofa dismissed Broadtec’s defence that its presence was for security purposes, noting the company had no legal authority under its Exclusive Prospecting Order (EPO).
“It has no mining rights to protect and… no right to post security at Mukovo 12,” the judge ruled.
The court also rejected Broadtec’s reliance on the “dirty hands” doctrine, saying accusations against the estate had no basis.
Balance of convenience
The judge found that without the order, the estate risked losing equipment to vandalism and mineral value to ongoing illegal mining.
The ruling halts all operations of Beijing Broadtec mining at Mukovo 12 until the Mines Minister delivers a final decision.
