adminmaterials from the area to the company’s factory in Harare.
The villagers alleged that Lafarge, which sources its limestone from the village, has failed to honour its pledge to develop the area as well as relocate them. Limestone is a critical raw material in cement manufacturing.
Village head Mr Munetsi Mareka said they had resorted to mounting the blockade after a meeting aimed at solving the impasse collapsed last Thursday.
“We were left with no option as we have been trying, without success, to get Lafarge to honour their side of the bargain since 2005,” he said adding that villagers are contracting respiratory diseases due to the excessive amount of limestone dust in the air.
Mr Mareka said some villagers did not plant any maize during the current season after being given the impression that Larfage will help relocate them.
“Lafarge has been promising to resettle us for over six years now,” he said.
“Many households are now faced with starvation after they did not plant any maize this season after being given the impression that they would be living in a new area by now.
“Apart from putting our lives at risk the company is also denying youths from our village a chance to earn a living by working at the plant as it imports labour from Harare.
“To make matters worse we have no boreholes and the roads are in poor state despite the company making a killing from our resources.”
Lafarge spokesperson Mr Washington Mutasa confirmed the incident saying efforts were being made to secure the release of the vehicles.
“I have received information that some of our vehicles are being held by members of the community. We are working, in consultation with the local council, to find an amicable solution to the impasse.
“We cannot discuss the villagers’ grievances in the press especially at this stage of our negotiations,” he said.
Online Reporter