A Mount Darwin family has petitioned the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, accusing a local businessman and sitting Member of Parliament of unlawfully dispossessing them of their farm, conducting illegal mining operations, and causing extensive environmental damage.
In a letter dated February 9, 2026, Nomalanga Nyirenda Mguni, writing on behalf of the Mguni family, detailed how what began as a verbal mining agreement in 2023 with businessman Anderson Chitsungo and his wife Sukai Tongogara deteriorated into alleged threats, forced evictions, and the unlawful takeover of Mguni Farm, a 508-hectare property in the Chesa area under Chief Madziva.
Last year, Chitsungo went viral after he was captured on a video throwing stones to soldiers over another land dispute. He is also known for threatening people.
Mguni stated that her late sister, Nto'zinhle Mguni, had entered into the arrangement with the couple, who initially presented themselves as protectors of the property.
"The understanding was that they would undertake mining activities on our farm with our consent, while assisting in protecting the property from illegal miners and other disruptive third parties,"Mguni wrote.
According to the family, Chitsungo and his wife frequently invoked alleged connections to powerful figures.
"During this engagement, Chitsungo and his wife repeatedly claimed to have strong political connections, including alleged links to the First Family, and asserted that such connections gave them power and influence," the letter reads.
The situation, the family claims, turned hostile following the discovery of substantial mineral deposits.
- Byo author eyes SA award
- WB revises downwards Zim growth
- Letters: Zanu PF to blame for anything wrong in Zim
- Shortages show the poverty of ideas in govt
Keep Reading
“Chitsungo forcefully chased my sister, our family members, and more than 20 resident families off the farm, unlawfully took control of mining operations, and began claiming ownership and authority over Mguni Farm, despite having no legal documentation to support such claims," Mguni alleged. She added that family members were threatened, intimidated, and barred from accessing their own land.
The family has drawn a direct link between the alleged harassment and a subsequent death.
"Tragically, the emotional and psychological pressure arising from this unlawful dispossession profoundly affected my sister. We strongly believe that the sustained harassment, intimidation, and loss of her livelihood contributed significantly to her untimely passing," Mguni stated.
Of grave concern in the new development is the alleged involvement of a sitting legislator.
The family claims Chitsungo is now partnering with Bindura South MP Matangira, who also serves as a Central Committee member, to continue exploiting mineral resources on the farm.
The letter expresses frustration over the lack of response from authorities despite multiple reports.
"We are deeply troubled by what appears to be systematic abuse of power and possible corruption, which has effectively silenced our legitimate efforts to seek justice," Mguni wrote.
The family further alleges that Mguni's brother, Siyakatshana Ngabutho, who holds a lawful mining claim on the same property, has also received direct threats from Chitsungo in an apparent bid to displace him as well.
Copies of threatening messages are said to have been attached to the petition.
Beyond the human rights and legal dimensions, the family has raised the alarm over environmental destruction. According to the letter, current mining activities are being conducted with no regard for sustainability.
"There is extensive land degradation, deforestation, uncontrolled open-cast mining, and the dumping of soil into the Mukaradzi River, threatening water flow, downstream dams, and surrounding communities," Mguni stated. "Even if our land is eventually restored to us, the environmental damage may be irreversible."
Appealing to the Minister's sense of patriotism and justice, Mguni emphasized her family's historical ties to the nation.
"Honorable Minister, my family is deeply patriotic. Our forefathers contributed to the liberation of this great Nation, and it is profoundly painful for us to be treated as foreigners on land we lawfully own and personally developed."
The family has urged the Ministry to institute an impartial investigation, halt illegal mining activities, and restore their rights while safeguarding environmental and community interests.
The letter was copied to a wide array of officials, including the Permanent Secretary for Mines, the Minister of Lands, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Judicial Service Commission, the Minister of Justice, the Director General of the CIO, and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
