Minerals plunder: Greedy fat cats looting at the expense of a nation says Maguwu
By Clayton Masekesa
MUTARE – The Director of Centre For Natural Resource and Governance (CNRG) Farai Maguwu has said Zimbabwe’s minerals are benefiting a few “heartless” individuals who are in positions of influence.
Maguwu made the remarks at an emotionally charged Mutare Citizen Dialogue meeting on Accountability in Peri-Urban Mining held at a local hotel on Friday.
The meeting was organised by Information for Development Trust (IDT) and the United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust (UMRRT).
Maguwu said the country had numerous minerals that had potential to turn Zimbabwe’s economic fortunes, but unfortunately, the minerals are only benefitting a clique at the expense of genuine beneficiaries.
“Instead of bringing good life to the people, the minerals have actually brought shame. There is nothing we can talk about regarding the minerals. They have not uplifted the lives of Zimbabweans. There are plenty of minerals but a few individuals have benefitted,” said Maguwu.
“Those few individuals with influence have access to the minerals and are eating and selfishly satisfying their stomachs on behalf of innocent communities,” Maguwu said amid a thunderous acknowledgement from the attendees that included Mutare residents groups and community based organisations.
He said when the individuals see themselves rich, they also assume that the economy of the country is on the rebound.
“They build mansions in and outside the country. They buy very expensive cars and the leave expensive lives. They will deposit money in offshore accounts. When they retire or something happens to them, you see them leaving Zimbabwe and they will stay in other beautiful countries enjoying lives,” Maguwu added.
“But we have nothing to show. We had diamonds in Marange but there is nothing big to show of the diamonds. In fact the diamonds have left scars of deaths to the villagers. The diamonds have left our children with dogbites and the diamonds have left sad memories,” he said.
“The world is watching and we are being mocked as a nation. The international community is now viewing Zimbabwe as a nation of shame,” said Maguwu.
Local and international observers have said Zimbabwe’s minerals have been plundered by those within positions of influence.
There have been massive rumblings of discontent by those from mining communities in Zimbabwe who have decried serious non-beneficiation from their natural resources.
Minerals plunder: Greedy fat cats looting at the expense of a nation says Maguwu
