A TRADITIONAL leader has ordered a foreign-owned mining company to stop constructing a dam near the burial shrine of First Chimurenga heroes Sekuru Kaguvi and Chinengundu Mashayamombe, escalating a heritage dispute that has triggered community outrage and prompted government investigation.
The dispute pits villagers, war veterans and traditional leaders against GritMine Minerals, which they accuse of threatening one of Zimbabwe's most revered national heritage sites. The shrine, where rainmaking ceremonies have been held for generations, is regarded as the spiritual home of the First Chimurenga and has become the centre of growing demands for stronger protection of cultural heritage.
Chief Chivero, born Cornelius Chengera, ordered GritMine Minerals to halt construction of the dam following protests from residents of Chivero and Mashayamombe villages, who say the project will desecrate the sacred site.
The order follows weeks of tension between the company and local residents led by former Zanu PF legislator Shadreck Mashayamombe, who was nominated to be Chief Mashayamombe.
Some villagers claim that sand extraction came to an abrupt halt at the site after miners encountered a menacing large black mamba, although the claim could not be independently verified.
Residents have also accused the company of obtaining more than 100 truckloads of sand for gold processing.
In a letter written in Shona dated August 1, Chief Chivero said the company did not seek his approval for the construction of the dam, adding that there was a public outcry from the Chivero and Mashayamombe villages.
“You do not have permission from the village head),” Chief Chivero wrote in the letter written in Shona copied to Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister Marian Chombo, the Chegutu district development co-ordinator, local MP Chamu Chiwanza and ward 7 councillor David Mutimusakwa.
- ‘Include childhood cancer on health cards’
- Winky D invokes Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi in epic teaser for ‘Tete-a-Tete’ Part 2
- Villagers fight to save sacred shrines
- Chief halts dam construction at Kaguvi Shrine
Keep Reading
“The place is sacred. Our ancestors were interred there. This is where Kaguvi’s grave is.”
Chief Chivero added: “The place has sacred pools; this is where we conduct rain-making ceremonies.
“This is where Kaguvi’s body is and we are waiting for his head to return from England for burial there. This is also the place where the First Chimurenga began).”
Kaguvi’s head, together with that of Chinengundu Mashayamombe, was taken by white settlers to England after they were killed in the First Chimurenga. Negotiations for the return of the remains are underway.
War veterans leader Douglas Mahiya on Monday condemned the desecration of heritage sites, saying sacred shrines must be protected.
Two weeks ago, villagers from Mhondoro-Mubaira appealed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa to stop or redesign the project, arguing that it threatens a site of national, historical and spiritual significance.
They accused GritMine Minerals of illegally extracting gold-bearing sand, alleging that more than 100 truckloads were removed.
The villagers said they had exhausted all avenues in bid to stop the project and resorted to appealing directly to the First Family because institutions responsible for protecting national monuments failed to intervene.
For more than a century, the shrine has served as a place of worship, spiritual consultation and rainmaking ceremonies. It is also regarded as one of the most significant sites linked to Zimbabwe's resistance to colonial rule.
Mashayamombe said the community turned to the First Family because the shrine, which belonged to the entire nation, was under threat.
NewsDay understands the government has launched an investigation into how a private company was allowed to construct a dam near the Kaguvi Shrine.
