By Dumisani Ndlovu
A new socio-economic activism and development movement has been
established in the Midlands Province.
The organisation is set to transform mining communities through
enforcing benefits from the mining activities, this publication has
learnt.
Operating under the moniker Midlands Natural Resources Agenda Trust
(MINARA), the Coordinator of the entity, Gideon Magadzire told News of The South that their organisation was established to advocate for meaningful socio-economic policy change in mining communities.
“We have been since time immemorial eager to legally defend mining
affected communities not only in the province but across the nation.
We are to make sure communities benefit from mining activities. Our duty is to see residents from mining communities making profits, benefit from employment, procurement and local economic development as what MIMOSA mine is doing in Zvishavane,” Magazire said.
He went on to say MINARA will also advocate for institutional reform
conducive to social development, and defending people’s livelihoods
and rights in the province.
“Now that we are fully registered, nothing will stop us from our core
business. We are an independent problem solving service for mining affected communities. Our responsibility is to intervene in social, economic, or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society. We are tired with the so called invaders who masquerade as investors,” said Magadzire.
The seemingly touched Magadzire blasted the some Chinese he said will-nilly displace innocent citizens because of their selfish gains.
“We are in solidarity with victimised villagers from Domboshava who are facing eviction after a Chinese quarry miner took over a mountain in the area where it intends to start mining operations. We thank President Emmerson Mnangagwa for stopping the eviction, ” he said.
The Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services deputy minister
Energy Mutodi, who is also the MP for the area, was reported to have
announced that about 20 000 people were affected by the intended eviction.
The villagers said they suspected that the deal between the Chinese
investor China Aihua Jianye, which reportedly intends to invest over
US$500 million, was mired in corruption.
MINARA Programmes Officer, Silas Mutendeudzwa condemned a granite
mining company called Reds or Sidingo, for sealing the water sources and refused to renovate the houses of villagers that developed cracks
caused by blasting despite having pledged to do so.
The affected mining communities can contact MINARA on the following
hotline numbers 0717449948 or e-mail :
midlandsnaturalresources@mail.com
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