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By Rutendo Mapfumo
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo yesterday blasted mines operating in Hwange accusing them of not doing enough for the community through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of an ambitious US$12 billion dollar mining economy by 2023, Hwange district has witnessed the sprouting of a number of mining companies.
Various investors have thronged the district in the last few years with growing focus on diversification and value addition to coal and generation of energy to supplement the country’s national grid.
Speaking during a meeting with captains of industry at Edmund Davis Hall, Moyo said the mining investments should benefit Hwange and Matabeleland North as a whole.
“The mushrooming of mines in Hwange district has to benefit the communities in Hwange district. But it’s disheartening to see the opposite, the state of Deka road is worrisome, our people have no clinics, no electricity in most parts of the district,” he said.
He stated that their investments were actually damaging the environment at the expense of seeing notable improvements in infrastructure and environmental protection.
“Our environment should not suffer because of your investments; the improvement of the investment should also reflect the improvement on roads, houses and the protection of the environment.”
Minister Moyo called for coordination between the miners and communities in order to develop the Hwange community.
Speaking during the same meeting, Hwange Local board Town Secretary Ndumiso Mdlalose said the miners should consider road infrastructure development as part of the CSR.
“The roads in Hwange have been destroyed literally, and there is an urgent need of the roads to be revamped,” he said.
Peterson Ncube from ZANU PF Hwange District said the communities surrounding the town are not benefiting from the mining activities.
“Ordinary villagers are not seeing the footprints of the miners, we are the richest district, yet we have the poorest people.”
Ncube also appealed to Hwange’s captains of industry to support local businesses.
“The captains of industry need to support local businesses by giving those tenders or partnerships in order to boost the local businesses locally,” he said.
Hwange district has the largest coal deposits in Zimabwe and provides the nation with coal and thermal power.
According to the Hwange District economist Tilton Jamera, the estimated value of coal mined in Hwange district annually is at US$ 162 000.
Despite the abundance of the resource, the local community remains very poor. Indaba
