Business / Companies
Obert Mpofu lashes out at Mat North companies
17 Mar 2014 at 12:57hrs | Views
Umguza Member of Parliament Dr Obert Mpofu has lambasted companies that continue to benefit from exploiting resources in Matabeleland North without ploughing back some of the proceeds into the community.
Mpofu, who is also the Transport and Infrastructural Development minister, said the companies should also look after chiefs whilst they were still alive and not make donations after the traditional leaders had died.
Addressing hundreds of people from all walks of life at the burial of the late Chief Mvuthu at Monde area in Victoria Falls on Saturday, Mpofu said Hwange was once a deserted area where troublesome leaders and their subjects from the region were dumped, but now people were scrambling to exploit the province's resources, only to plough back nothing into the community.
"It is sad that whilst electricity is generated here, most of our schools in the district do not have power. All the coal that is used nationally comes from right here in Hwange, but we are not benefitting anything, which is quite sad," he said.
Coincidentally, the late Chief Mvuthu was chairman of the Hwange Community Share Ownership Trust.
"There are a lot of animals kept in safaris here with companies making lots of profit through game hunting, but locals get nothing in return.
"It is painful because at the end of the day we are the ones who carry bags of groceries to bring to our parents to avert starvation although they have their own resources," said Mpofu, who is originally from Jambezi, near Victoria Falls.
"We have many companies, safaris and mines in Hwange, but if you ask them, they don't do anything for the chiefs. It's only when a chief dies that you see them bringing pieces of meat for the mourners.
"We do not want our chiefs to die bitter because they got nothing whilst they were alive," he said.
Born Nyangayezizwe Lois Mlotshwa, Chief Mvuthu was installed as chief on September 25 2008 and died early last week at the age of 53. He is survived by wife and three children.
The burial was attended by traditional chiefs Nekatambe, Mtshana Khumalo, Dingani, Siansali, Mabhikwa and Saba, while Chief Makuni from Zambia sent an emissary.
Also in attendance were Matabeleland North provincial administrator Latiso Dlamini, former Matabeleland North governor Thokozile Mathuthu, Hwange East member of Parliament Bekithemba Mpofu and the Bubi Umguza senator Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu.
Mpofu, who is also the Transport and Infrastructural Development minister, said the companies should also look after chiefs whilst they were still alive and not make donations after the traditional leaders had died.
Addressing hundreds of people from all walks of life at the burial of the late Chief Mvuthu at Monde area in Victoria Falls on Saturday, Mpofu said Hwange was once a deserted area where troublesome leaders and their subjects from the region were dumped, but now people were scrambling to exploit the province's resources, only to plough back nothing into the community.
"It is sad that whilst electricity is generated here, most of our schools in the district do not have power. All the coal that is used nationally comes from right here in Hwange, but we are not benefitting anything, which is quite sad," he said.
Coincidentally, the late Chief Mvuthu was chairman of the Hwange Community Share Ownership Trust.
"There are a lot of animals kept in safaris here with companies making lots of profit through game hunting, but locals get nothing in return.
"It is painful because at the end of the day we are the ones who carry bags of groceries to bring to our parents to avert starvation although they have their own resources," said Mpofu, who is originally from Jambezi, near Victoria Falls.
"We have many companies, safaris and mines in Hwange, but if you ask them, they don't do anything for the chiefs. It's only when a chief dies that you see them bringing pieces of meat for the mourners.
"We do not want our chiefs to die bitter because they got nothing whilst they were alive," he said.
Born Nyangayezizwe Lois Mlotshwa, Chief Mvuthu was installed as chief on September 25 2008 and died early last week at the age of 53. He is survived by wife and three children.
The burial was attended by traditional chiefs Nekatambe, Mtshana Khumalo, Dingani, Siansali, Mabhikwa and Saba, while Chief Makuni from Zambia sent an emissary.
Also in attendance were Matabeleland North provincial administrator Latiso Dlamini, former Matabeleland North governor Thokozile Mathuthu, Hwange East member of Parliament Bekithemba Mpofu and the Bubi Umguza senator Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu.
Source - zimmail
