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Mzembi breathes fire

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MINISTER of Tourism Walter Mzembi yesterday threatened to file defamation charges against RioZim Limited management following the company’s claims that he had seized its Renco gold mine in Masvingo.

MINISTER of Tourism Walter Mzembi yesterday threatened to file defamation charges against RioZim Limited management following the company’s claims that he had seized its Renco gold mine in Masvingo.

Report by Charles Laiton

Mzembi, who is the MP for Masvingo South, said he had no desire to take over the mine operations or to prevent RioZim from operating its mine.

“I must point out that whilst I was in Spain last week, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Secretariat inquired on what was going on and why I was taking over a mine after reading the applicant’s (RioZim) cautionary statement which was publicised internationally,” Mzembi said in his affidavit filed at the High Court.

The minister was responding to a RioZim application seeking to bar Mzembi from interfering with operations of the mine.

He said he explained that the only role he had played was at the invitation of the RioZim management, workers and the community to resolve the dispute in his capacity as MP.

“The allegations made against me are malicious, scandalous and defamatory,” he said.

“They are intended to insult me in my personal capacity, Zanu PF, the government and people in my constituency who voted for me that I am a wrong minister who has no respect for rule of law.” High Court judge Justice Hlekani Mwayera yesterday reserved judgment on the RioZim chamber application after listening to submissions by both parties.

RioZim was represented by Advocate Thabani Mpofu, while respondents Irvine Dzingirai, Mzembi and one only identified as O Mazombwe were represented by Jonathan Samukange.

Problems at the mine started a fortnight ago when workers went on strike demanding better working conditions.