Hwange mining concessions, rights taken by outsiders

Shocking revelations have surfaced showing that all mining concessions and rights in Hwange District are held by non-residents, sparking widespread outrage over what critics say is the government's deliberate marginalisation of local communities through its mining empowerment programmes.

The government has publicly affirmed its commitment to empowering women and youth in the mining sector through policy initiatives designed to increase their participation, improve access to finance, provide training, and ensure representation in decision-making processes.

These initiatives include loan schemes and financial assistance targeted especially at artisanal and small-scale miners, alongside training programmes equipping women and youth with technical and business skills for effective engagement in mining activities.

However, Hwange East legislator Joseph Bonda expressed deep concern that the reality on the ground contradicts these government promises.

"All concessions and mining rights are taken by non-residents. I got the list of youth provided by the minister who are not even from the region who took concessions and hold mining rights in Hwange," Bonda revealed.

The list includes 17 youths, yet none hail from Hwange District itself.

Official government data acknowledges that only three Hwange residents currently hold mining rights and concessions in the district, which is rich in minerals such as lithium, shale, tungsten, copper, fluorite, coal, and granite.

This development has ignited anger across Matabeleland, with activists warning that the situation in Hwange could represent just the tip of the iceberg.

Thembelani Dube, a development practitioner and vice-chairperson of the Rural Community Empowerment Trust in Matabeleland North, underscored the constitutional principle of devolution, which prioritises the rights and benefits of indigenous communities.

"Indigenous people of a particular ecosystem must be prioritised and be the ones who benefit from local natural resources as well as opportunities that arise in those micro and macro ecosystems," Dube said.

Meanwhile, Fidelis Chima, coordinator of the Greater Hwange Residents Trust, urged the government to revive and strengthen community share ownership schemes to ensure locals gain equitable shares and benefits.

Critics such as Prince Ncube, spokesperson for the Freedom Alliance, accused the government of deliberately failing to implement devolution effectively.

"The exclusion of people from Hwange is deliberate and calculated to impoverish them while outsiders dominate them economically and politically. Outsiders are less likely to plough back to the community whose resources are exploited and depleted," he charged.

Vivian Siziba, Zapu Bulawayo secretary, lamented the narrow distribution of mining opportunities, noting they appear accessible only to party affiliates and cronies.

"People would be forgiven for concluding that these opportunities are available to either party cadres or cronies," Siziba remarked.

Further critiques came from Nhlanhla Moses Ncube, Nkayi Community Parliament Speaker, who attributed the exclusion of locals to entrenched tribalism.

On the government side, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Polite Kambamura recently confirmed that 17 youths and three women are involved in mining concessions in Hwange under government policy.

"There are three women and 17 youths who are shareholders in the mines. I have a whole list of names. A total of three Hwange residents hold mining rights and concessions in Hwange district. These are Murowe, Sunrise Chilota Mining and Makomwe Transport and Hardware," Kambamura said.

The government has also indicated that it is rolling out the Cadastre system, aimed at streamlining the allocation of mining rights and resolving disputes more effectively.

As frustration mounts, stakeholders continue to call for urgent reforms to ensure that Hwange's rich mineral wealth benefits the local communities who have long been sidelined.