CHUNDU– Environment Management Agency (EMA) deployed a team of investigators to probe suspected mineral plunder by Chinese that left a trail of destruction under Chief Chundu, 65 kilometres north-west of Karoi town.
This follows a series of investigation stories by Zim Morning Post that exposed how families under headman Rodgers Dzebonde were duped by Chinese in Kabidza area two years ago.
The areas falls under Ward 8 within Hurungwe Rural District Council.
Another family Chilongolo of Mayamba in the same ward is now divided over Chinese operations.
In a response on why EMA was not taking action over suspected trail of destruction when they gave Environment Impact Assessment certificate to Ndafunga Trading besides its ‘dark past’ and lack of adherence to environment requirements to rehabilitate affected areas, there is hope of collective measures by authority under Government law on such ‘oversight’.
Zim Morning Post further queried if Chinese were operating above the law as they remained ‘‘untouched’’ to the country environment laws, but EMA provincial head Richard Mapako said they have taken action on the matter.
In a written response on Thursday, he said, ‘Thank you for your concern over the Chundu mining issue. I would like to confirm that the issue is now part of consideration and on a serious note, I dispatched a team to carry out investigations,’
No-one above the law-EMA
Mapako further gave assurance that once the investigations are done, suspects will be brought to book according to the law.
He added, ‘Let me assure you that no one is above the law. All criminal activities will be dealt with in accordance to the law. Let us all team up in the protection of our environment,’
EMA’s response is likely to pin Chinese mining company, fronted a local company Ndafunga Trading that has duped several villagers in Chundu claiming they will develop the area after mining Rose Quartz mineral.
They have left a trail of destruction around Chundu areas.
Investigations carried by this publication revealed that losing candidate for Hurungwe Central James Gumpo Junior a facilitator for a truce with some villagers who were against operations ‘duped’ them that they will build a borehole, grade the roads as well as rehabilitate the damaged areas of affected communities.
In Kabidza, the Chinese made an undertaking of resettling headman Dzebonde but after the poor mining activities, he was left at his homestead facing reality of deep gullies that pose a threat to both domestic and human life.
After few months’ operations, they moved out claiming the mineral was sub- standard.
Divided family
Early this year the Chinese proceeded to Mayamba Village where Chilongolo family was divided over their operations of mineral’s plunder.
James Gumpo Jnr, son to Zanu PF Kariba Senator James Gumpo has been implicated for causing confusion gripping entrance dubious miners in the area.
One Skin Chilongolo wrote an objection letter in February to EMA and other to relevant authorities including Hurungwe District Administrator as well as Hurungwe Rural District Council, expressed concern over suspected land degradation that likely to be poised by a Chinese mining company that had left a trail of destruction in Kabidza area under Chief Chundu.
Chilongolo authored the letter dated 21 February 2019 and, in our possession, saying they were against the mine that was to be established at their only home in Mayamba village.
‘‘We were not informed or engaged as the affected family. The move was taken without notifying and consulting us including Feresi Chilongolo, Taviringwa Chilongolo, Hamundide Chilongolo, Skin Chilongolo, Takesure Chilongolo and Shupe Chilongolo. The above are the beneficiaries of the land left by the owner Kamunowe Kamuhungwe Chilongolo and Edith Chilongolo as parents. There is no sole owner of the land. The one left in charge by the family ancestry in Shona custom as the representative father of the above family is Skin Chilongolo.’
In a hard hitting letter, Chilongolo added that they will not allow such operations at their home village.
‘‘The company dug out Rose Quartz sample stones without notifying us. We are not happy about the land degradation caused and about to be caused by the mining activities without taking necessary mining establishment procedures on the land occupants,”said the letter.
However, Chilongolos’ effort for ‘justice hit a brick wall after Chief Abel Mbasera Chundu and local councillor Tavengwa Muringanisi ‘arm-twisted’ villagers to accept mining ‘venture as productive’ aimed at creating employment for youths in the rural outskirts but this never happened.
Chilongolo welcomed EMA’s reaction as he felt justice was being denied.
He said, ‘We welcome the move by EMA to act against the Chinese after going to several offices seeking justice that was being denied our right to be heard fairly and justice on our land,’
On the other hand councillor Muringanisi claimed consultations were made and villagers accepted the mining venture.
Trail of destruction
However, the move by EMA to probe the Chinese mining venture that left a trail of destruction is likely to expose the miners working in cahoots with traditional leaders, politicians and some individuals getting ‘kickbacks’ through ‘facilitation fees’ helping out in mineral smuggling syndicate affecting the mining sector.
