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From George Maponga in Masvingo
Over 500 families in Charumbira communal lands in Masvingo have demanded full compensation and alternative land for resettlement before agreeing to pave way for a new multi-million-dollar cement manufacturing project earmarked for the area.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces entered into a joint venture with an unknown Chinese firm to establish Zimbabwe Zhing Zhong Cement Company that plans to open a cement plant in Charumbira area.
This follows the discovery of rich limestone deposits in the area last year. The company has already applied to Masvingo Rural District Council for an operating licence to start the project.
However, families from about 16 villages that will be displaced by the cement company want clarity on the issue of compensation.
The families, through their traditional leadership, vowed to resist efforts to displace them unless they were guaranteed of the availability of alternative land to resettle them.
They said lessons from the Tokwe-Mukosi disaster in Chivi had taught them the importance of receiving compensation first when there was mass relocation of people to pave way for a big national project.
Chief Fortune Charumbira yesterday said officials from Zimbabwe Zhing Zhong Cement Company recently met villagers from his area to solicit their views on the project.
He said villagers were not against the opening of the cement plant, but wanted clarity on some issues.
“The Tokwe-Mukosi disaster taught people a lot of experiences and in Charumbira there are about 16 villages that will be displaced by the proposed cement project, but the affected people need clarity in black and white on the issue of compensation and the exact timelines of its payment,’’ he said.
“People in Charumbira are not against development but they also want to know the extent of benefits that will accrue to their area because of the cement plant. There are also issues to do with pollution and resettlement that need to be addressed before people can accept to be moved.’’
“There is the realisation that modern infrastructure such as roads, clinics and new schools will be opened while employment will also be created, but villagers around the project also need a share of the development cake,’’ he added.
Masvingo RDC chief executive officer Mr Martin Mubviro said the project would directly employ 4 000 workers with work on the cement plant expected to start soon.
“We have already told Zimbabwe Zhing Zhong Cement Company what they need to do before we can consider their application. Their project has to get thumbs up from the community around where they want to open their plant,’’ he said.
Mr Mubviro said once the Charumbira community had agreed to the project, council would then pass a resolution giving Zimbabwe Zhing Zhong Cement Company an operating licence.
The proposed cement plant will become Zimbabwe’s fourth and is expected to further consolidate the country’s position as a major cement producer in southern Africa.
Online Reporter