A massive US$15 million student accommodation project taking shape at Mount Sinia in Toronto, Penhalonga, is emerging as one of Manicaland province’s most ambitious private infrastructure investments — while also exposing years of environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities that once turned the mountain into a lawless zone.
An extensive investigation by Truth Diggers, including site, interviews with authorities, investors, community members and laboratory testing of environmental samples, has uncovered a complex story of land rehabilitation, investment politics, misinformation campaigns and the desperate demand for student accommodation in Mutare.
At the centre of the controversy is the ambitious 700-metre, one-storey complex being constructed at the Remaining Extent of Subdivision A of Mount Sinia in ward 22, Mutasa South.
The development, first conceived in 2018, had initially stalled after the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) reportedly withdrew funding following a policy shift.
Its revival this year is now being viewed by provincial economic planners as a sign of renewed investor confidence and improving economic stability.
After years of searching for financial partners, the landowners secured a deal with Chinese construction giant Golden Cube Corporation, a company with a track record in smart-city projects across China, Europe and Africa.
Already, more than US$5 million worth of plant and equipment has been deployed on site as rehabilitation and preparatory works intensify.
Illegal mining legacy uncovered
Investigations by this publication established that the site had previously been heavily invaded by more than 800 illegal miners, some operating sophisticated machinery that left deep trenches, collapsed shafts and widespread environmental degradation across the 50-hectare property.
Contrary to claims circulating on social media and in some sections of the community, evidence gathered on site indicates that the current movement of soil and earthworks are linked to rehabilitation and construction activities rather than illegal gold extraction.
To independently verify the claims, this reporter collected soil and water samples from the site for laboratory analysis. The results came back negative, with no traces of gold-bearing ore, mercury or cyanide detected — substances commonly associated with active gold processing operations.
Environmental rehabilitation efforts are now underway under the supervision of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), with developers saying 22 of the 25 hectares damaged by illegal mining have already been reclaimed.
EMA reports reviewed by this publication indicate that illegal mine shafts have been sealed, trenches reaching depths of four metres filled, over 2 000 trees planted and access roads rehabilitated.
Project location misinformation
One of the major findings of the investigation was the extent of confusion surrounding the exact location of the development.
The landowner, Max Chard, dismissed reports linking the project to the destruction of Christmas Pass Mountain, telecommunication infrastructure and protected land.
“We stress that the development is at Mount Sinia, of Toronto, not Christmas Pass Mountain,” Chard told Truth Diggers.
“Mount Sinia is independently located approximately 6km by road from Christmas Pass, with two mountain peaks in between.
“The Cecil Kop National Park lies 6km east of the project, and does not share any boundaries with it and Hillcrest Group of Schools.
“Telecommunication masts perched on the Christmas Pass Mountain peak are located 3km away from the works and are not threatened in any manner by the current project works.
“Any suggestion that this project endangers the local community, Christmas Pass Mountain, Cecil Kop National Park, or telecommunication equipment is factually incorrect.”
Truth Diggers established that the land is privately owned, with traceable title deeds dating back to 1945, and is not state land nor part of Cecil Kop National Park as previously alleged.
All subdivision permits were reportedly issued through the Department of Physical Planning, with the project aligning with the City of Mutare master plan and Zimbabwe’s smart city development framework.
Claims of organised resistance
The investigation also uncovered allegations of organised resistance to the project linked to illegal mining interests previously operating in the area.
According to Chard, some members of the Greater Toronto Residents Association allegedly benefitted from illegal mining activities on the property and are now opposing the development.
“Prior to the rehabilitation, the mountain was invaded by over 800 illegal miners, some with sophisticated machinery, causing significant environmental damage,” Chard said.
“Penhalonga police were overwhelmed with reports of social ills, including damage to private property, burglary, assaults, drug abuse and even murder. To date, the reports have been significantly reduced by 90%.
“The illegal mining activities were being sponsored by some members of the Greater Toronto Residents Association, who are now driving a negative media campaign against the project.
“Some of the leaders remain hostile, being beneficiaries of the previous illegal mining activities.
“The investment is transparent, lawful, and undertaken with guidance and approval from all stakeholders.”
Police sources in Penhalonga confirmed that criminal activities associated with illegal mining had significantly declined since the rehabilitation programme began.
Mutare’s deepening student housing crisis
Beyond the controversy, the investigation revealed the scale of Mutare’s worsening student accommodation shortage.
The proposed complex is expected to provide modern accommodation for at least 500 students, targeting learners from institutions such as Africa University, Mutare Polytechnic, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, Mutare Teachers College and vocational training centres around the city.
A feasibility study reviewed by this publication paints a grim picture of the accommodation deficit facing tertiary institutions in Mutare.
“Demand growth, spurred by demographic and college attendance trends, has been robust, while at the same time new dormitory capacity has been limited by constrained university budgets. This means student accommodation is an investment opportunity,” reads part of the study.
“Despite a 6 125 total deficit of student accommodation, the viability of student accommodation on the proposed site hinges on students from Africa University and Magamba Vocational Training Centre, which are within commuting distance.
“With bus shuttle services, all tertiary institutions can be serviced. The net effect of this is to contribute towards the city’s economic and human capital development.”
Director of economic affairs and investment promotion for Manicaland, Munyaradzi Rubaya, said the province urgently needs such infrastructure investments.
“That is the kind of investment that we need and fully support because we are in a student accommodation crisis as a province. Our student population is more than 5 000, yet on-campus accommodation at these institutions cannot cover half of the students,” Rubaya said.
“We need a five-star student accommodation hostel to cater for the rising demand.”
Smart-city vision
Developers said the complex will operate beyond traditional hostel infrastructure.
Plans show commercial units on the ground floor, including food courts, supermarkets, laundromats, pharmacies, libraries and sporting facilities accessible to both students and surrounding communities.
The project also incorporates solar energy systems, biodigesters for waste management and earthquake-resistant modular buildings designed to withstand environmental risks associated with the region.
Construction is expected to take two years using modular building technology, which developers say is faster, safer and more cost-effective.
If completed successfully, the Mount Sinia development could become one of the largest privately funded student accommodation projects in eastern Zimbabwe — while simultaneously transforming land once scarred by illegal mining into a modern educational and commercial hub.
*Truth Diggers is the investigative unit of Alpha Media Holdings (AMH), publishers of NewsDay, Zim Independent, The Standard and Southern Eye. AMH also operates an online broadcasting channel HStv.