VILLAGERS in Bubi have appealed to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), local councillor and the government to intervene and stop mining firms, some of them Chinese-owned, wreaking havoc in the district through air pollution and uncovered pits.
The villagers, through the Bubi Community Parliament, argued that the environmental problems posed a serious health risk and danger to humans, domestic animals and wildlife.
In a petition directed to EMA and local councillor, the villagers said government had allowed Chinese businesspeople including miners, among others, to operate in the country.
“Recently, we have seen the influx of Chinese in the mining industry throughout the country. There has been a serious national outcry by communities after they have been either ill-treated, beaten or had their land taken and given to Chinese,” the villagers said.
They said there was a mining company wreaking havoc in the area and the government must take action to save lives and the environment.
“This company has its offices off the Nkayi-Bulawayo road, near Lonely Mine. This company has several gold claims in Bubi district including in ward 5 of Bona area. This company gets water through its massive trucks from a disused Bubi mine,” the petition read.
“Each day more than 20 trucks ferry water from this mine past Rhino village. They extended a gravel road to suit their big trucks.
“These water tankers lift clouds of unbearable dust that is hazardous to humanity, animals, flora and fauna. People in this village are unable to wash and hang their clothes, or sit outside their huts because of dust.”
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The villagers said the dust had also affected vegetable gardening in this community, adding that their plants had turned brown in colour due to the dust produced by these trucks.
“Most people have fallen sick due to this dust. This company has also started digging some trenches near this village.
“They have dug trenches across the area. Domestic animals are straying into these hazards. It seems they do not want to fence off this area.
“When they were approached by the community on these issues they displayed the highest level of arrogance.”
The villagers appealed to EMA, councillor and the government to find a balance between the operations of investors and the maintenance of the dignity of Zimbabweans and their health.
EMA Matabeleland North manager Chipo Mpofu Zuze said she could not comment on the matter.
