MAZVIHWA traditional leaders in Zvishavane want Murowa Diamonds Mine to shut down its operations and leave their area after the two parties failed to agree on community development programmes.
ALLIEWAY NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT Chiefs Rabson Madzoke and Simon Sithambe said the diamond mining company was manipulating villagers and had not renovated houses that developed cracks due to mine blasts.
They charged that the mine had also failed to connect electricity and water to local schools or construct a tarred road to reduce the amount of dust caused by the mine’s heavy duty vehicles.
Chief Madzoke said most houses were on the brink of collapse due to serious cracks caused by mine blasts.
The chief said even his own house that was recently constructed by Rio Tinto had developed severe cracks and could collapse any time. Murowa Mine is owned by Rio Tinto.
“If Murowa Mine was a wife, I would divorce her immediately without regret. They have caused enough damage and if they do not renovate our houses and fulfil their promises of developing this community, I see no reason why they should continue to mine here,” said Chief Madzoke.
Chief Sithambe said the mine had informed them that it had no money to renovate the houses yet it was producing diamonds worth millions of dollars.
“They are exploiting our resources and making large amounts of money yet they are refusing to repair our houses.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“During the funeral of Chief Mazvihwa, Rio Tinto chief executive officer Bill Champions said they would connect electricity and water at local schools that include Baradzamwa Primary, but nothing has been done resulting in most experienced teachers leaving the school citing lack of development and facilities,” said Chief Sithambe.
They charged that Murowa Mine was also reluctant to construct a dam to provide water for the local people yet its operations had caused the siltation of Runde River.
“Our people do not have a comprehensive irrigation because the mine silted Runde River, but failed to construct a dam for the community. It’s surprising that they are doing a lot of community development in Chivi district yet they are exploring here in Mazvihwa.
“They must pack and go to Chivi and leave our land,” said Chief Sitambe.
The chiefs said Mines minister Walter Chidhakwa had last year tasked the mine to construct a tarred road to reduce dust levels in Mazvihwa, but nothing was done.
Murowa ward councillor Jacob Mvuto said while non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the United Nations Children’s Fund had supplied water tanks and other water supply material, the mine was failing to connect pipes from Ngezi River for the local community.
Mvuto said the mine authorities were also not supporting projects by locals as evidenced by their refusal to buy fresh vegetable produce from locals.
“A lot of things have been done by NGOs and what we ask is just a little support or at least for them to own up to their promises, he said.
“When we ask for assistance, they now refer everything to the Zvishavane Community Share Ownership Trust yet they verbally promised to assist the community.”
