Chiefs concerned over mining activities

Oswell Moyo Chronicle Reporter
CHIEFS and lawmakers have appealed to government to ensure that Chinese miners respect local cultural values as they are desecrating graves in some areas where their companies are carrying out mining activities.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba organised by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (Zela), members of the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs and MPs said there are times when the Chinese failed to observe their cultural practices.

Chief Zimunya of Chiadzwa in Manicaland province said Chinese miners disrespected their cultural values by leaving remains of their forefathers lying in the open and excavating graves without consulting them.

“My people are living with human bones in Arda Transeu after a Chinese company, Anjin Investment and Jiran excavated them. They’re not even forthcoming in organising for their reburial. That’s lack of respect for the dead and a taboo in our culture,” he said.

Arda Transau Relocation Development Trust chairperson Cephas Gwayagwaya echoed similar sentiments saying the Chinese undermined the authority of the District Administrator (DA).

“I once went to the company’s manager with a letter from the DA seeking compensation for my houses which they had destroyed. I was told that even though the letter had the DA’s signature, he had no authority to force them to pay me because they were bigger than him,” he said.

Zanu-PF Kwekwe Central legislator Cde Masango Matambanadzo said some Chinese miners went to the extent of battering employees for poor work performance.
“There was an issue in my area last year when a Chinese employer beat employees for work related problems,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Chipuriro from Guruve blamed chiefs for failing to stand their ground in dealing with the ongoing problem.
“In my land, no one can perform any activity without consultation. The land belongs to me. The Minister, MP and councillors don’t have land. Even a civil servant can be chucked out of my area if they don’t comply with our values. What more the Chinese,” he said.