TRADITIONAL leaders in Zvishavane have threatened to boot out Rio Tinto-owned Murowa Diamonds Mine from their area, accusing the company of reneging on its pledge to support community development programmes.
ALLIEWAY NYONI
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 cracked.
“If Murowa Mine was a wife, I would divorce her immediately without regret,” Chief Madzoke said.
“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.”
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Chief Sithambe said: “They are exploiting our resources and making large amounts of money yet they are refusing to repair our houses.
“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.
“Our people do not have a comprehensive irrigation scheme 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.”
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 the mine authorities were also not supporting projects by locals as evidenced by their refusal to buy fresh vegetable produce from locals.
“When we ask for assistance, they now refer everything to the Zvishavane Community Share Ownership Trust yet they verbally promised to assist the community,” Mvuto said.
Murowa Mine chief executive officer Zebra Kaseke was unreachable for comment on his mobile phone.
