A British-owned mining company has launched urgent legal action in Zimbabwe’s High Court after what it describes as a politically backed armed invasion of one of the country’s oldest gold mines.
Forbes & Thompson, which has operated the Vubachikwe Mine in Gwanda for over four decades, filed a spoliation application today accusing Moses Langa—Zanu-PF’s Matabeleland South Province Youth Chairperson—of leading a group that forcibly seized control of the mine using heavy machinery and more than 200 people.
According to the 40-page court filing, the takeover occurred on January 17, 2026, when Langa’s group allegedly arrived with front-end loaders, tipper trucks, and compressors, broke into the facility, and began extracting gold-bearing ore.
The company claims Langa publicly legitimised the takeover two days later, telling a crowd at the mine site that the group had immunity from arrest and had received authorisation from senior government officials and Zanu-PF headquarters.
“The occupiers are now openly extracting and processing gold, causing permanent damage to mining infrastructure,” the court papers state, adding that reports to police and the Ministry of Mines have produced no action.
The application alleges that when police attempted to intervene, they were repelled by the invaders, who announced they were now in control.
Forbes & Thompson, which has owned the mine since 1983, describes the incident as a violent shattering of property rights that is being “executed in full view of the state.”
Langa disputed the allegations on social media, calling them an attempt to “tarnish the good image of Zimbabwe” and insisting the country has “good policies which support FDIs and local investment.”
The case has reignited concerns about Zimbabwe’s investment climate. The southern African nation has struggled to attract foreign direct investment, with repeated allegations that politically connected individuals use their influence to seize assets from both local and foreign investors, particularly in the mining sector.
Industry analysts say such incidents have made Zimbabwe a high-risk destination, with investors fearing that property rights are subject to political interference rather than institutional protection.
The High Court must now determine whether the law can be enforced against what the company characterises as a politically protected takeover—or whether, as Langa allegedly told the crowd, some people are “above it.”
The case is being closely watched as a test of Zimbabwe’s commitment to protecting investor rights and the rule of law.
