Villagers lament over abuse by Chinese employers

KUDAKWASHE CHIBVURI

Villagers in Insiza, Matabeleland South province are lamenting over ill-treatment in the hands of Chinese miners in the area adding the foreigners were also destroying the land without an adequate plan to resuscitate it.

This came out during the engagement between a local partner and the villagers where the issues came up amid calls for an immediate solution to what has become a crisis.

Villagers said they would welcome development in the form of clinics, a pre-school, dip tanks, road infrastructure, and bridges, among other essentials.

They also said they have lost a large number of livestock, severely affecting their only source of income.

One of the villagers, Everlet Gumbo said: “The Chinese came and started mining on my plot. They have damaged the environment to such an extent that our livestock no longer have grazing areas. There is nothing we can do. When they arrived, they promised to rehabilitate the land, but they have not done so. We are now suffering from dust due to their mining operations.”

Another villager added if nothing is done, the community will be left with nothing while the Chinese would have immensely benefited.

“If we are not careful, the Chinese may promise to mine an area for 10 years but end up extracting everything in just three years. We could be left with nothing if we are not vigilant.”

Mandlenkosi Ncube, another villager, lamented over abuse of locals by the Chinese firms saying: “I was employed by the Chinese but was dismissed unfairly. We were told to go on holiday, but when operations resumed, we were informed that we had been fired. I was hurt—and I still am. What pains me most is that they are operating in our area, yet we are benefiting nothing.”

Alexander Maphosa, Vice Chairman of Mapeiume Secondary School said the institution needs serious development and companies operating in the area must deliver.

“This school needs serious development. Parents have tried to build some classroom blocks, but they are struggling. If we could be assisted with classrooms, we would greatly appreciate it. Another pressing issue is the need for a clinic, as the nearest one is 11 kilometres away.”

He also confirmed the ill-treatment of locals by the Chinese.

“Yes, some of our children work at the Chinese mining company, but the working conditions there are very poor. They work without PPE, leading to serious injuries. It is not safe at all. They endure excessively long shifts—16 hours a day. Our children are being degraded, just like our land,” he said.

The school, villagers said, was severely underdeveloped and lacked basics like classroom blocks, water, and sporting facilities.

Locals also cried foul over the negatives brought upon by the Chinese firms.

“When the Chinese arrived, they did not introduce themselves properly. We are not against development, but we need companies to respect us as locals. Currently, villagers are only benefiting from dust and pits.”

Chief Chizungu encouraged mining companies to rehabilitate the land after completing their operations.

Another traditional leader, Chief Bankwe said: “We call upon mining companies to respect the locals. Any agreements made with them must be honoured. We appreciate the local partnering company for engaging with the community and look forward to working with them.”

Chinese investors could not immediately comment on the claims.