Boardroom Wrangle at Botha Mine (Kitsiyatota) Turns Physical

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Businessmen Farai Matsika and Edison Gatsi, find themselves in the midst of a heated controversy after allegations of assault against a female General Manager of Botha Gold Mine in Bindura surfaced. The incident, which has further thrust the troubled mine into the public eye, reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over Matsika and Gatsi’s attempt to gain unauthorised access to the mine with heavy equipment. Matsika is Doves Holdings Board Member.

According to eyewitnesses, the General Manager denied the pair entry, citing their lack of legal authority or a valid contract. What followed was described as verbal abuse, which escalated into a physical altercation. It is alleged that Gatsi struck the General Manager, leaving her injured and damaging her mobile phone. Mine security intervened swiftly to de-escalate the situation.

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The General Manager has allegedly filed a police report at Bindura Central Police Station under RRB Number: 12/04/25CR. Efforts to verify the authenticity of the police case details have not yet been successful.

This recent incident is the latest chapter in the ongoing turmoil at Botha Mine, which has faced scrutiny since December 2024 when operations were suspended due to safety and environmental concerns. The mine’s challenges have been exacerbated by internal leadership disputes, with factions forming between a camp led by Interim Board Chairman Leonard Rwambiwa and another led by former chairperson Themba Hlongwane.

In addition to the operational suspension, Hlongwane and former General Manager Angela Mpofu-Chisvo have been embroiled in allegations of theft and fraud, further tarnishing the mine’s reputation. The prolonged closure has disrupted livelihoods for hundreds of artisanal miners who depend on discarded ore for survival, sparking anxiety in the Bindura community. Stakeholders have highlighted the importance of resolving the leadership disputes and addressing the operational issues to ensure the mine’s reopening.

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