ZISO Concerned About the Politicization of Mining in Bindura

Bindura miners continue to bear the brunt of the politicization of the country`s natural resources, in particular minerals.Youths led by Gift Kanosvimhira working under an outfit known as the Presidential Youth Initiative and another  other group led by Ruwizhi Fernando, Jonah Ngwenya and Batsirai Musona are fighting each other over the control of the gold-rich Kitsiyatota minefields.

Following the "banning" of mining operations by the provincial Joint Operations Command (JOC), thousands of smallholder miners have lost their sources of livelihood and continue to wallow in poverty in Bindura.

Meanwhile Gift Kanosvimhira continues to enjoy full and unrestrained access to the minefields working under Side Electrical Private Limited, a company which holds a Presidential Special Grant over the mine.

The group is under pressure to bar those who are perceived to be aligned to the opposition MDC-T from accessing the mines. Notable figures who have been affected include former MDC-T Councilor Nobert Dhokotera, Amiri Njawara and Peter Mabika to name but a few.

On the 28th of July 2015, Kanosvimhira was summoned by the officer commanding Bindura at the Provincial Police Headquarters where he was told by the Dispol that he would be forced to seize operations if he continued to allow MDC-T aligned activities to carry out mining operations. The meeting was also attended by prominent ZANU PF activists in Bindura such as Jonah Ngwenya, Ruwizhi Fernando, Batsirai Musona and a woman`s league member only identified as Mai Mbereko.

A ZANU PF Provincial Coordinating Committee has been called today to look into the issue. This follows fierce internal fighting within ZANU PF for the control of both the lucrative minefields and the province at large. The warring factions are led by Bindura North legislator Kenneth Musanhi and Gift Kanosvamhira on the one hand while the other group is led by Martin Dinha and Jonah Ngwenya.

ZISO is very concerned by the politicization of the mining operations in this area. The infighting is so severe that Martin Dinha was almost assassinated by unknown assailants

The issue also reflects adverse implications of the ZANU PF infighting and politicization of the distribution of natural resources on the economy at large and on people`s livelihoods in particular.

The victimization of individuals who are perceived to be aligned to the opposition also show that the government continues to view its citizens on partisan lines completely oblivious of the constitutional entitlement of all citizens of this country to its resources by virtue of being Zimbabwean.

ZISO is further disturbed by the continued use of JOC and other state organs to decimate and render the informal sector subservient to the ruling party`s whims and caprices.

ZISO calls for an urgent meeting of the stakeholders to address the issue of small-holder miners in Kitsiyatota and ensure depoliticization, no-partisan, transparent and accountable adminitration of the mining fields.

Government needs to facilitate and enable the small scale miners to transform their operations into meaningful business enterprises as part of formalizing the informal sector.

This requires transparent governance of the precious resources and providing training, capital and equipment to the miners. There is need to facilitate partnerships with foreign investor while ensuring that the miners are equipped to negotiate effectively and to the best of their interests in a win-win scenario.

The plight of women and children continues to be a big concern in the informal sector in general and government and other human rights organization are implored to ensure the full enjoyment of rights and protection of the law for these vulnerable groups.