KWEKWE – A security guard was found dead with his hands tied behind his back after a powerful explosion tore through a Buchwa Iron Mining Company (BIMCO) explosives storage facility in Redcliff early on Sunday, October 11. Authorities suspect the blast happened during an attempted theft of explosives.
At least 150 houses have now been reported affected, alongside businesses and public buildings. The blast damaged homes across several parts of the Midlands mining town, including Torwood, and shattered windows, damaged ceilings and other parts of buildings. The latest tally is cumulative: Redcliff Town Clerk Gilson Chakauya said the first assessment had identified at least 70 affected properties, and warned that the count could change as inspections continued.
The explosion happened at about 3am, as residents slept. Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube said 1,200 boxes of explosives were stored at the site. The force of the detonation ripped apart the concrete structure housing them and damaged homes, shops, garages and the Redcliff Civic Centre.
“At 3AM, we experienced an explosion in Redcliff, Kwekwe, at BIMCO, where explosives were kept.
“Unfortunately, there were 1 200 boxes of explosives which exploded, causing damage to the whole of Redcliff,” he said.
“Houses, shops and garages have been affected by this explosion. Unfortunately, the security guard lost his life. Investigations are continuing.”
Ncube said preliminary information pointed to a suspected break-in. The guard was reportedly restrained before intruders tried to get into the explosives store.
“The security guard was allegedly tied up before the suspected criminals attempted to open the explosives storage room,” he said.
A bolt cutter and other tools believed to have been used to force open the facility’s door were recovered at the scene, according to Redcliff Municipality spokesperson Michael Magoronga. The items have become part of the investigation into how the blast occurred and the guard’s death.
“The matter is now with the Joint Operations Command (JOC). So investigations are now underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion and the security guard’s death,” said Magoronga.
The security response began soon after reports of the explosion reached provincial authorities. Zimbabwe National Army 5 Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier-General Lawrence Munzararikwa said security personnel had been mobilised and the Joint Operations Command had attended the scene.
“Since we were informed of this unfortunate incident early in the morning, we mobilised the security architecture for the province. The JOC is here and we attended the scene of the incident,” he said.
“What we found was that there was a big explosion and that explosion created massive damage to the immediate surroundings of the site where the magazine was located. We have since normalised the area in terms of security.”
Temporary barricades were put in place to keep residents away while specialists examined the site. Munzararikwa said vegetation had been destroyed within a 100-metre radius of the magazine. He warned that material left after the main detonation could still explode.
“We suspect strongly that after the explosion, we could have some remnants of explosives that did not explode or detonate. We may need expert intervention to search around the area thoroughly and ensure that such rubble or debris has been taken into account before people can visit the area,” he said.
Residents of Redcliff and nearby Torwood were urged to stay clear while security personnel and explosives experts carried out checks. BIMCO was directed to cordon off the site and put up warning signs, while the JOC was to deploy personnel to prevent people entering until the area was declared safe. Mayor Alderman Vincent Shangwa Masiiwa also told residents not to visit the site because unexploded material could remain.
The danger has extended beyond the fenced storage compound. The blast was heard and felt across the town, and householders described waking to damaged windows and shaken homes. Annah Shumba said she had been asleep when the explosion struck.
“I was asleep and I do not know what it was that had burst, shaking the whole house,” she said.
Emmanuel Moyo said his first concern was for his children, who were in a room where the blast cracked window panes.
“My first thought was my children. They were in one of the rooms which was affected by the blast, causing some window panes to crack,” he said.
The scale of the damage is still being assessed. Chakauya said the figure of at least 150 affected houses was cumulative and that municipal inspections were continuing. A Civil Protection Unit meeting had been held to plan public safety measures and assistance for people whose homes or businesses were affected.
“We have so far established that at least 150 houses have been affected. These figures are cumulative, and assessments are continuing, so the numbers may change. We have held a Civil Protection Unit meeting to discuss the situation and map the way forward, particularly in terms of public safety and assistance to affected residents. What we continue to urge people is to stay clear until there is absolute safety,” he said.
Earlier assessments had put the damage at more than 80 properties, including residential homes, commercial buildings and the civic centre. The updated tally does not mean 150 houses were destroyed: it records properties affected, with the exact extent of damage varying from cracked glass to more serious structural problems. Residents and shop owners have been left to assess repairs and losses as municipal teams continue their work.
Government spokesperson Ndavaningi Mangwana also said the guard had been found dead at the scene with his hands tied. He described the theft theory as preliminary, saying: “A powerful explosion at a BIMCO explosives magazine in Redcliff early Sunday left residents shaken and caused extensive property damage. Preliminary investigations by the Civil Protection Unit point to a suspected attempted theft of explosives.”
The municipality has asked people whose properties were affected to submit their details by calling 0710 721 439 or 0776 887 585. Authorities continue to urge residents to keep away from the magazine and surrounding area until the explosives assessment is complete and the site is declared safe.