KWEKWE Central legislator Judith Tobaiwa (Citizens Coalition for Change) has asked Mines and Mining Development minister Winston Chitando to issue a ministerial statement in Parliament amid concerns over the conduct of foreign mining entities operating in Zimbabwe.
Addressing Parliament recently, Tobaiwa highlighted what she termed blatant disregard for environmental regulations and labour laws by certain foreign nationals and companies involved in gold mining in the country.
She cited specific locations, including Kwekwe, Makaha and Shurugwi, where she said significant environmental degradation was occurring.
Tobaiwa called for accountability, saying despite the mantra Zimbabwe is open for business meaning the country welcomes investors from across the globe, this, however, does not mean domestic laws must be wantonly broken.
“My point of national interest, Madam Speaker, is on the presence of some foreign nationals and entities conducting gold mining activities across Zimbabwe in places such as Kwekwe, Makaha, Shurugwi and other places in total disregard for the environmental impact, hence heavily destroying both the flora and fauna in our communities.
“The same investors are not abiding by the country’s labour laws. For example, Zimasco was recently acquired by a Chinese company and it retrenched Zimbabwean workers and replaced them with unskilled Chinese workers.
“We request a ministerial statement from the Minister of Mines and Mining Development to explain government’s position on sustainable mining and measures being taken to rectify the massive environmental damage happening in the country.
She added: “Secondly, we need to know why these foreign companies are not abiding by laws such as labour laws. We also want a cost-benefit analysis done by the ministry concerning these mining entities that are destroying our environment and communities.”
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Tobaiwa added that the issue could not be addressed as a mere question, it required detailed research as a matter of national interest.
The government last year announced a ban on alluvial and riverbed mining to curb environmental degradation.
The government first announced the ban in 2020, but the practice has continued unabated over the past years.
Cabinet said deterrent penalties would be imposed on offenders, including forfeiture of mining equipment.
An investigation by the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa has, however, exposed shocking environmental damage in Zhombe due to alluvial and riverbed mining.
