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Thandeka Matebesi, Sunday News Reporter
CHIEF Sigodo of Silobela in the Midlands Province has abandoned his subjects and is now holed up in Bulawayo, saying his life is in danger after he received threats from members of the Silobela Community Development Trust following a dispute over a mine in the area.
The wrangle is over the ownership of Peace Mine and the matter is still pending in the courts. However, despite the matter still to be settled, Chief Sigodo said he cannot return to his subjects as he has received tip-offs that thugs at the instigation of syndicates that are mining in the area want to kill him.
“Officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development went to Peace Mine this past week, along with some police officers, to notify the illegal miners to cease all operations. However, the miners became violent and chased them away. I then received a tip-off that (name withheld) had bought beer at a cost of about $500 for thugs to disturb or hit me. They were supposed to ambush me on my way home as they thought I had gone to the mines,” said Chief Sigodo.
Chief Sigodo said he had no intention of evicting the villagers or to fight with them over the mine. He also added that he took the legal route to ensure that the community fully benefits from the mine.
“I am not fighting with people as some are alleging, in fact I haven’t set foot at the mine in a very long time because I want to do things in an orderly manner. Back then I was paying fees for quite a number of children and I was doing a lot of projects in the community with proceeds from the mine and that is what I want to do even now,” said Chief Sigodo.
Contacted for comment, an official from the mine, Mrs Sibusisiwe Moyo said she would not comment on an issue that is still in the courts.
“I don’t want to comment on this issue because it is now in court. If you want a comment talk to the courts,” she said.
Online Reporter