A LEGAL advocacy group is equipping communities to demand accountability from mining investors and the government in response to widespread reports of mismanagement in Zimbabwe’s extractive sector.
The mining sector is losing billions of dollars annually through corruption and illicit financial flows, primarily due to mineral smuggling, transfer pricing and other forms of corruption on the part of local and foreign entities, according to reports.
The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) said grassroots monitoring programmes were critical to combat such practices.
“Participatory community monitoring empowers communities to take control of their own development by collecting vital data on investment figures and revenue usage,” said Joshua Machinga, ZELO’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning assistant.
He was speaking at a two-day workshop for paralegals and community monitors hosted by the organisation in Mutoko.
Machinga explained that this data-driven approach promotes transparency and helps to prevent corruption.
“By enabling communities to detect and document instances of misuse, participatory monitoring ensures that benefits actually reach the community,” he said.
Machinga emphasised that the strategy fosters collaboration and mutual understanding among stakeholders.
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“This grants communities a seat at the decision-making table, allowing them to engage in processes that impact their lives and livelihoods,” he stated.
“It ensures their concerns are addressed and their interests are adequately represented when navigating the challenges of mining operations.”
The project, implemented by ZELO in partnership with Action Aid Zimbabwe, has reportedly seen strong participation from traditionally-marginalised groups, particularly women and youth.
“This has emphasised respect for human rights, including women’s rights, and contributes to a just and sustainable transition aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals,” Machinga said.
The Mutoko workshop aimed to share experiences among women gemstone miners, community monitors and paralegals, strengthening their influence over trade and value chains for granite and gemstones.
