Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube , Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Zanu-PF Hwange District Coordinating Committee (DCC) leadership has invited six Ministers to Hwange this Thursday to deal with dilapidation of infrastructure and land degradation allegedly caused by mining companies operating in the district.
The road network in and around Hwange especially to various mines is in a deplorable state and no longer usable by small vehicles. The worst affected roads are Sinamatela, Old Bulawayo and Deka Road, which links the town to a tourism area in Msuna along Zambezi River, where fishing, boating and other activities take place.
Even the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls stretch within Hwange is in bad shape. Roads were reportedly in good shape before the coming in of various coal mines and none has been repaired. People in and around Hwange including surrounding communities stare a perennial health hazard from dust emanating from roads damaged by trucks.
Deka River is also heavily polluted by discharge from mines and companies. Communities have severally implored mining companies to fix roads or suppress dust but to no avail.
A month ago the DCC leadership met representatives of various companies operating in and around Hwange and implored them to start addressing the raised issues or face retribution from the community.
Seeing that nothing has been done, the DCC has invited five Cabinet Ministers and shareholders of some of the companies to a stakeholders meeting in an effort to address the situation.
These are Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima.
The DCC contends that the five line ministries are directly linked to the challenges in Hwange, with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare being summoned because of alleged ill-treatment of workers at some of the mines.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Cde Richard Moyo, who is also Zanu-PF provincial chairman and executives of all the three local authorities in Hwange were also invited. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday at Edmund Davis Hall.
The DCC leadership believes disregard of community needs by companies in the district is the reason why Zanu-PF has been losing successive elections hence this should be addressed forthwith.
DCC chairman Cde Matthew Muleya said some of the Ministers have confirmed attendance. He said the meeting will seek to discuss the role of the local community on the approval and issuance of coal Special Grants and the Environmental Social Impact Assessments certificates, deplorable state of the road infrastructure due to mining activities, lack of corporate social responsibility projects, pollution, empowerment and visible participation of local community in the value chain as well as alleged disregard of labour laws by some investors.
“Following the meeting which was held in Hwange last month where all operators were encouraged to assist in the rehabilitation of our infrastructure in the district, some decided to ignore our call as people of Hwange. We strongly condemn the undermining of the will of our people and it is against this background that the DCC executive supported by senior members of the party in the district have decided to move a step further in support of our people..
“It’s time we stand up and speak with one loud voice. This time we don’t want company representatives but their shareholders. This initiative is to enhance our resolve to alter the political landscape of Hwange District to ensure we deliver our 71 839 votes quota of the party’s target of 5 million votes for President Mnangagwa in the forthcoming 2023 harmonised elections,” said Cde Muleya.
He called for full participation and contribution from provincial executives, MPs, members of the war veterans and all Zanu-PF wings in Hwange District. —@ncubeleon
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