50 families face eviction

Nearly 50 families in Mutorashanga, Mashonaland West province, face eviction from Zimasco chrome compound after the Monday deadline they were given to vacate the houses to pave way for the demolition of the structures expired.

More than 64 unoccupied houses have since been stripped of asbestos, doors and window frames.

Some families say they have nowhere to go as they were born and bred at the mine.

Authorities say the move was meant to avert a health disaster as the compound does not have sanitary facilities.

Sources say Zimasco is unwilling to continue providing the area with basic services.

Juliana Nyatsande (29), who has two children, said she was born at the mine while her parents are late, and she has nowhere else to go.

"I was born in this compound and my parents were mine workers who left me here when they died. I do not have anywhere else to go if they remove me from here," she said.

Another resident, Fadzanai Shonga (30) - who is HIV positive – said she could not afford to leave as she was getting free antiretroviral drugs at Mutorashanga Clinic.

"They need you to have been receiving ARVs for about two years to be given a transfer letter," she said. "I have only been receiving medication for the past six months and there is a real risk that I might default because it is expensive to travel to get the drugs."

Residents said they were told a fortnight ago that roofing sheets, doors and window frames would be removed last Monday in preparation for the demolitions.

Ward 15 councillor Idah Kamushinda said the houses would not be demolished but the exercise was only meant to weed out criminal elements.

"There has been vandalism going on at the compound owing to some criminal elements who do not have anything to do," she said. "From a health perspective the area is a ticking time bomb as there are no proper facilities."

She said residents were being asked to apply for alternative shelter in Tafara suburb.

Zimasco is now owned by Sinosteel and has changed hands several times owing to depressed mineral prices.

Human resources manager for Zimasco only identified as Mr Manyoka could not comment on the matter as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

He referred all questions to Zimasco chief executive officer Mr Li Jiqiun in Harare.