Villagers demand planned relocation

VILLAGERS from a section of Charumbira in Masvingo are demanding a planned
village before they can be uprooted from their traditional homes in order to pave way
for a new mine.
The villagers said they do not want a chaotic situation similar to the one that befell
families at Chingwizi, after they were displaced by the Tokwe Mukosi Dam.
Dinson Iron and Steel Company, a mining concern, has shown interest in mining
limestone reserves found where the villagers presently live.
Limestone has been identified in Mberengwa and the Charumbira area of Masvingo.
It is used for steel separation process.
The villagers said despite job opportunities to be created from the mining ventures
the chaotic Chingwizi resettlement programme was a wake-up call to them and they
don't want a similar situation.
"It would not be of any benefit if our children were to get employment at the expense
of homes we established over a long time. We will not own the mine and we need
security of a properly planned settlement," said the villager.
Another villager identified as Mrs Mwalo, said Dinson was not the only company to
approach the villagers in terms of development since they once raised similar
concerns in 2014 to another company.
“We had a meeting in 2014 at Bushmead with other prospectors and we asked them
where they would put us. Look at what happened at Tugwi Mukosi; some lost their
charms and goblins during the move."
The villagers said they welcome the development plan but more emphasis should be
placed on those who would be affected by the investment. Some demanded action,
arguing that there was a breach of procedure.
Chief Fortune Charumbira told the representatives of Dinson Iron and Steel
Company that he does not want a repeat of Chingwizi in Charumbira chieftainship
area and pledged that if the people agree to have the company, people must benefit
from the partnership through employment.
The mine has been negotiating with an individual claiming to have the claim to the
mine without consulting stakeholders, something which did not go down well with the
villagers.
"If we reach an agreement and people are happy, it is possible. It is difficult if people
have complaints. There will be a need for more employees and so for every 100

vacancies 10 or 15 should be recruited from Charumbira with those relocated
benefitting," he said.
"If we agree on the mining venture in the area with no one planning to do like what
was done in Chingwizi which did not go through well… I know what happened at
Chingwizi, I used to go there with the top leadership. I don’t want a repeat of
Chingwizi here in Charumbira."
Chief Charumbira asked the company to provide buses so that representatives of
villagers from the different places in the area to be affected can visit and have an
appreciation of the development that is taking at Manhize in Chivhu.