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Mushohwe commends ZCDC for mending relations with Marange community

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MEDIA, Information and Broadcasting Services minister Christopher Mushohwe has applauded the zeal shown by the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) to mend relationships with the Marange community by fast-tracking the erection of tombstones for almost 150 graves destroyed by this year’s incessant rains in that area.

MEDIA, Information and Broadcasting Services minister Christopher Mushohwe has applauded the zeal shown by the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) to mend relationships with the Marange community by fast-tracking the erection of tombstones for almost 150 graves destroyed by this year’s incessant rains in that area.

BY KENNETH NYANGANI

Chris Mushowe
Chris Mushowe

Relationships between the villagers and diamond mining companies have been frosty over a litany of issues, among them vandalism of graves for mining purposes.

ZCDC, which is solely mining diamonds in the area after other companies were elbowed out last year, recently offered $50 000 to pay for the erection of tombstones on graves washed away by the rains.

Scores of villagers had threatened to block mining operations in the area in protest at the company’s delay to lay tombstones at Chitangazuva reburial site in Chiadzwa.

ZCDC is also set to exhume another 120 graves around the Chiadzwa concession to pave way for expanded mining activities.

In a wide-ranging interview with NewsDay Weekender, an ecstatic Mushohwe, who is the constituency’s legislator (Mutare West), pointed out the need to solve the plight of Chiadzwa villagers.

“As the legislator of the area, this also affects me and I am bound to represent them. This issue of exhumations is being addressed and we are Africans,” he said.

“I am happy that when I spoke about the matter with Mines minister Walter Chidakwa, he made a swift reaction over the issue. I also spoke about the matter with ZCDC chief executive officer Dr Morris Mpofu and Mathew Mundondo (Upfumi Hwepasi Kuvatema representative), who is responsible for the exhumations, and they are working together,” he said.

“The President [Robert Mugabe] is very concerned about the people of Chiadzwa. At the youth interface rally in Mutare, he spoke about being given a dummy cheque and was not happy. I took the issue of Chiadzwa to the politburo and the President,” he said.

Mugabe lashed out at the Chinese for allegedly using him to hoodwink the people of Manicaland province into believing that they would benefit from mining proceeds in Chiadzwa.

The Chinese firms, then operating in the Chiadzwa area, promised to avail almost $10 million towards the Community Share Ownership Scheme.

“On the issue of the remaining almost 120 graves, this will be completed as soon as possible,” Mushohwe said.

“The issue of funds maybe has been an issue. You are aware that the government brought equipment from Belarus, but I am confident that all issues will be addressed.”

Mundondo said they were ready to carry out the exhumations.

“Minister Chidhakwa urged us to do a quality job pointing out that this was a sensitive issue and Minister Mushohwe has also said that we need to do the exhumations correctly,” he said.

He added that the remains were exhumed and relocated by Jinan and Marange Resources from Rombe, Chiadzwa and Tonhorai and reburied at Chitangazuva burial site to allow for mining activities.