A Chinese national in Zimbabwe has been charged with attempted murder after shooting an employee five times and wounded another during a standoff with workers over outstanding salaries.

Xuen, who is a manager at Reden Mine in Shamrock in Gweru, the capital of Midlands Province of Zimbabwe did not plead to the charges due to lack of certified interpreter when he appeared before the Gweru Magistrate court.

The country’s biggest labor representative body, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union, said there has been a history of Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe ill-treating their workers, VOA reports.

“As the Chinese community in Gweru, we deeply regret what transpired at Reden Mine in Gweru on Sunday 21 June 2020 when two company employees were unfortunately shot by one of the company managers following a pay dispute.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry further told CNN that overall, Chinese companies in Zimbabwe have operated their businesses in accordance with local laws and regulations, and made positive contributions to Zimbabwe’s economic and social development.