Resident files criminal charges against mining companies as EMA inspectors stay silent

A Bindura resident has filed a criminal complaint with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) against six mining companies and four individuals accused of violating the Environmental Management Act at Phoenix Prince Mine — a move that bypasses environmental regulators whom residents say have failed to act.

The complaint, lodged on 3 April 2026 under RRB number 6420115 at Bindura Central Police Station, names Ouro Tanque (Pvt) Ltd, Capegem Mining (Pvt) Ltd, Blacksands Mining (Pvt) Ltd, Prowatch Security (Pvt) Ltd, Pees Hardware (Pvt) Ltd, Sicelo Mbambo, Prince Joseph Mukombwa, Eliah Zuze and Fidelis Chingori as accused persons.

Complainant Billiet Jengwa accuses the parties of three offences under the Environmental Management Act:

• Implementing a prescribed project without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate (Section 97(2))
• Discharging hazardous substances, including cyanide, into the environment (Section 73(1) & (2))
• Handling cyanide without a licence (Section 72, read with Section 73(1) & (2))

An official Environmental Management Agency (EMA) test report dated 19 March 2026, attached to the complaint, confirms contamination of water samples collected on 12 March 2026. The sample was classified in a non‑compliant band under the Environmental Management (Effluent and Solid Waste Disposal) Regulations, SI 6 of 2007, indicating pollution consistent with cyanide discharge.

According to the complaint, the accused persons implemented mining projects at Phoenix Prince Mine without an EIA certificate. The EMA report confirms water contamination linked to cyanide‑based vat‑leaching activities. The complaint further alleges that cyanide was handled without licences, posing serious environmental and public‑health risks.

Jengwa has asked the Officer‑in‑Charge at ZRP Bindura to take action against the accused for the stated offences.

The criminal complaint comes amid growing frustration in Bindura, where EMA inspectors in Mashonaland Central are described by residents as reluctant to enforce the law against mining companies. Despite possessing scientific evidence of contamination, the regulatory agency has taken no visible action.

In a separate but related matter, the Bindura Magistrates Court recently issued an interim order halting mining activities at Phoenix Prince Mine and surrounding areas pending verification of environmental certificates. However, sources say operations have continued despite the court order.

The National Prosecuting Authority has previously declared an end to corporate impunity for environmental crimes, with the Prosecutor‑General vowing to aggressively prosecute offenders. There was no immediate comment from EMA or ZRP Bindura regarding the latest complaint or the status of enforcement.

The complaint remains pending with the police.