News / National
Zimbabwe Court kicks out Chinese company from villagers' land
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The High Court in Chinhoyi has issued an interdict against Labenmon, a Chinese mining company, barring it from expanding its operations into a grazing area owned by two villages in Magunje, Hurungwe.
Justice Philda Muzofa granted the provisional order two weeks ago following an urgent application by local villagers—Gift Kapere, Godfrey Chasara, Jonathan Chimufombo, Cornelius Murisa, Esther Chasara, Lister Bepura, and Member Manzweru. The villagers sought to stop Labenmon from setting up a cement plant on 135 hectares of farming and grazing land.
Despite the court order, Labenmon has allegedly continued with its operations, defying the directive.
Labenmon representative Thomas Chidzomba, who identified himself as a Zanu-PF provincial member, reportedly threatened a Mirror journalist for interviewing Chief Nematombo (real name Takudzwa Karengesha) about the issue.
"I will come to see you at your offices and deal with you for calling and threatening Chief Nematombo," Chidzomba allegedly said.
The affected villagers argue that Labenmon has not compensated or relocated them from their land, and they have raised concerns over pending Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) investigations by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), which is cited as the second respondent in the case.
"The first respondent's conduct of commencing works in respect of the Wih-Zim Construction Material Investments Cement Manufacturing in Magunje, Hurungwe without compensating and or relocating the applicants is hereby declared unlawful," reads part of the court order. It further prohibits Labenmon from continuing operations pending the outcome of EMA's investigations into possible breaches of special conditions on its EIA certificate.
In addition to the contested cement plant site, Labenmon has allegedly occupied another area 30km away, where it is mining limestone.
Village head Kapere confirmed the villagers' concerns in a telephone interview. Chief Nematombo accused Chief Chanetsa of illegally allocating the land to the Chinese company, leading to pollution concerns at Kemureza Dam.
"Chanetsa grabbed villagers' land and allocated it to the Chinese company. There is a lot of pollution taking place in Kemureza Dam. We had hopes that the company would employ our subjects," said Chief Nematombo.
Chief Chanetsa was unavailable for comment. However, Chief Dendera stated that he welcomed development as long as it was done with the consent of local communities and environmental safeguards were put in place to prevent pollution.
The villagers, represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, allege that Labenmon forcefully occupied the land in June 2024 with the assistance of armed police officers. According to sources, villagers who attempted to investigate the company's movements at night were detained and taken to Magunje Police Station.
The situation remains tense as villagers await further legal action to enforce the court order against Labenmon's continued operations.
Justice Philda Muzofa granted the provisional order two weeks ago following an urgent application by local villagers—Gift Kapere, Godfrey Chasara, Jonathan Chimufombo, Cornelius Murisa, Esther Chasara, Lister Bepura, and Member Manzweru. The villagers sought to stop Labenmon from setting up a cement plant on 135 hectares of farming and grazing land.
Despite the court order, Labenmon has allegedly continued with its operations, defying the directive.
Labenmon representative Thomas Chidzomba, who identified himself as a Zanu-PF provincial member, reportedly threatened a Mirror journalist for interviewing Chief Nematombo (real name Takudzwa Karengesha) about the issue.
"I will come to see you at your offices and deal with you for calling and threatening Chief Nematombo," Chidzomba allegedly said.
The affected villagers argue that Labenmon has not compensated or relocated them from their land, and they have raised concerns over pending Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) investigations by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), which is cited as the second respondent in the case.
"The first respondent's conduct of commencing works in respect of the Wih-Zim Construction Material Investments Cement Manufacturing in Magunje, Hurungwe without compensating and or relocating the applicants is hereby declared unlawful," reads part of the court order. It further prohibits Labenmon from continuing operations pending the outcome of EMA's investigations into possible breaches of special conditions on its EIA certificate.
In addition to the contested cement plant site, Labenmon has allegedly occupied another area 30km away, where it is mining limestone.
Village head Kapere confirmed the villagers' concerns in a telephone interview. Chief Nematombo accused Chief Chanetsa of illegally allocating the land to the Chinese company, leading to pollution concerns at Kemureza Dam.
"Chanetsa grabbed villagers' land and allocated it to the Chinese company. There is a lot of pollution taking place in Kemureza Dam. We had hopes that the company would employ our subjects," said Chief Nematombo.
Chief Chanetsa was unavailable for comment. However, Chief Dendera stated that he welcomed development as long as it was done with the consent of local communities and environmental safeguards were put in place to prevent pollution.
The villagers, represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, allege that Labenmon forcefully occupied the land in June 2024 with the assistance of armed police officers. According to sources, villagers who attempted to investigate the company's movements at night were detained and taken to Magunje Police Station.
The situation remains tense as villagers await further legal action to enforce the court order against Labenmon's continued operations.
Source - The Mirror
