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Chinese miner rebuts Maguwu's grave desecration claims
2 hrs ago |
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Chinese-owned Max Mind Investments, operators of Sabi Star Mine in Buhera, has refuted allegations that it desecrated graves during its mining operations, saying it legally exhumed and reburied 22 bodies under official supervision and with family consent.
In a statement issued this week, the company said it was responding to what it described as a "false and malicious" social media post made on October 27 by human rights activist Farai Maguwu, who claimed that the miner had used excavators to dig up graves at the mine site.
Maguwu had posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the company "used excavators to exhume the remains" of villagers, alleging that the practice was widespread across mining areas in Zimbabwe.
"These were laid to rest with love and care in Buhera by hundreds of people, but exhumed by the Chinese [Sabi Star] using excavators and dumped here. Since this mining madness started, more than 10 000 graves have been desecrated countrywide," Maguwu wrote.
However, Max Mind Investments dismissed the allegations, insisting that all exhumations were conducted lawfully, respectfully, and with full community involvement.
"In total, 22 bodies were exhumed and reburied - five in 2022 and 17 in 2023 - in full compliance with Zimbabwean law and traditional protocols," company spokesperson Emmerson Njanjamangezi said.
"All reburials were professionally conducted by a local funeral services company, with each family receiving compensation and full coverage of funeral and traditional expenses."
Njanjamangezi added that affected families had consented to the relocations to make way for mining operations, and that remaining burial sites within the mine area were fenced off and left undisturbed.
He said the company remained committed to transparency and engagement with the local community.
"Our offices and community liaison team remain available to provide accurate information and respond to media queries," he said.
The Sabi Star lithium project, one of the largest Chinese investments in Manicaland Province, has previously come under scrutiny from environmental and human rights groups calling for stronger oversight of foreign mining operations in rural areas.
Despite ongoing criticism, Max Mind says it continues to adhere to local laws and traditional customs in its operations.
In a statement issued this week, the company said it was responding to what it described as a "false and malicious" social media post made on October 27 by human rights activist Farai Maguwu, who claimed that the miner had used excavators to dig up graves at the mine site.
Maguwu had posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the company "used excavators to exhume the remains" of villagers, alleging that the practice was widespread across mining areas in Zimbabwe.
"These were laid to rest with love and care in Buhera by hundreds of people, but exhumed by the Chinese [Sabi Star] using excavators and dumped here. Since this mining madness started, more than 10 000 graves have been desecrated countrywide," Maguwu wrote.
However, Max Mind Investments dismissed the allegations, insisting that all exhumations were conducted lawfully, respectfully, and with full community involvement.
"In total, 22 bodies were exhumed and reburied - five in 2022 and 17 in 2023 - in full compliance with Zimbabwean law and traditional protocols," company spokesperson Emmerson Njanjamangezi said.
"All reburials were professionally conducted by a local funeral services company, with each family receiving compensation and full coverage of funeral and traditional expenses."
Njanjamangezi added that affected families had consented to the relocations to make way for mining operations, and that remaining burial sites within the mine area were fenced off and left undisturbed.
He said the company remained committed to transparency and engagement with the local community.
"Our offices and community liaison team remain available to provide accurate information and respond to media queries," he said.
The Sabi Star lithium project, one of the largest Chinese investments in Manicaland Province, has previously come under scrutiny from environmental and human rights groups calling for stronger oversight of foreign mining operations in rural areas.
Despite ongoing criticism, Max Mind says it continues to adhere to local laws and traditional customs in its operations.
Source - NewsDay
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