A MINING dispute between villagers from Shurugwi and a private miner has sucked in officials from the Mines and Mining Development ministry in the Midlands province over allegations of corruption.
This comes after villagers petitioned the ministry to stop the mining operations of Fleekfair (Private) Company.
The villagers petitioned the ministry, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Owen Ncube, the Judicial Service Commission and the police over the matter.
In a petition in the possession of NewsDay, the villagers accuse Fleekfair, represented by Kevin Fondoka and Allan Sibanda, alleged that corrupt officials within the ministry fraudulently issued mining documents to counter the community’s rightful claims.
“A deputy provincial mining director is reportedly the signatory of these irregular documents, raising serious concerns about corruption in the ministry,” the villagers said.
In the petition, the villagers said: “The provincial mining director for Midlands province Khumbulani Mlangeni must answer for the authenticity of Kevin Fondoka’s mining blocks and why his operations are being allowed in a different location, full, independent investigation must be conducted into the Ministry of Mines’ involvement in processing fraudulent mining papers.
“The deputy provincial mining director and other officials involved in these illegal dealings must be held accountable. The community bakery must be reinstated, and compensation must be provided for the stolen quarry stones.”
The villagers said Fleekfair Trading must be held accountable for illegally seizing community property.
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In the petition, the villagers said the ZRP Flora and Fauna unit must desist from being used as a tool to persecute the community.
They said an urgent investigation must be launched into alleged abuse of power by police in this matter, adding that legal action must be taken soon against Fleekfair.
Fondoka yesterday dismissed the allegations saying they were not corrupt.
“Do they have evidence that we are corrupt? They are liars, we have mining rights and l am not the only one with mining rights in the area, we are many,” he said.
Sibanda yesterday dismissed the allegations saying: “Who are the complainants, is this their place and they should come with proof to show if l had signed that agreement. l need to know the people and the petition.”
