Hwange villagers face eviction

TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO

Several villagers in Hwange district,  Matabeleland North Province, face eviction  from their ancestral homes to pave way for a Chinese mining company  called Mutagech  Logistics (Private Limited) .

The mining company was issued with an environmental and social impact assessment certificate last year and quickly moved on site to start mining.

The company has been pushing to evict several villagers in Nekabandama, Diki and Kashika villages, in Hwange district.

In its resettlement action plan (RAP), the miner said it had identified 28 homesteads to be evicted.

“Several homesteads  will be adversely impacted by the surface mining operations. As at the end of August 2022, at least 28 homesteads had been identified as being within the area that will be impacted by current and near-future operations,” Mutagech said.

Mutagech said the RAP model aims to avert homelessness, landlessness and food insecurity for the affected families.

The model will form the basis for engagement with affected families and other key stakeholders within Hwange district.

Families and homesteads that are likely to be affected by mining operations in the near future

are in Ward 12 and Ward 20  of Nekabandama, Diki and Kashika Villages.

“The RAP model aims to avert homelessness, landlessness and food insecurity of the respective impacted families, “read the document.

The development comes after government  last year  issued a notice to shut down operations in Kaseke Village in Uzumba district by a Chinese mining company Heijin after villagers resisted their removal from the 300-hectare piece of land earmarked for the operation.

Mutagech Logistics said displaced families will be allocated new houses, arable land as provided by local government  and and community leadership, potable water supply, agricultural inputs for the first agriculture season post resettlement and cash disturbance allowance.

The Chinese mining company said it was open for negotiations with stakeholders.

The company said relocation exercise will commence at the end of first quarter of 2023 and will be implemented in phases largely driven by progress of the coal mining activities at Lukosi.

“Negotiations between Mutagech, the community, affected villagers, key stakeholders and government representatives will be guided by this RAP proposal,” part of the RAP model reads.

Recently, a civil society organisation, Greater Whange Residents Trust (GWRT) approached the Bulawayo High Court in a bid to stop a mining concern, Mutagech Logistics from carrying out mining activities at Nechenge Coal Mine Project site  on the basis that the local community was not consulted.

In an interview with GWRT coordinator Fidelis Chima said relocation plans should take into consideration the cultural values of communities.

“As Greater Whange Residents Trust we are going to consult affected villagers on the way forward. However relocation plan should take into consideration the cultural values of the community,livelihood. Will there be social amenities such as schools,affordable and accessible water.

The community should consent to the relocation proposal, “he said.

Chima said the mining activities will pose a problem for villagers.

“There are adverse environmental impacts  including pollution and respiratory diseases such as pneumoconiosis. There is also danger of coal fires, which are posing risks to human lives among other factors,” he said.