SYDNEY MUBAIWA
BIKITA- Bikita Minerals has reached out to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission regarding the issue of villagers who were settled at George Nollen Farm.
The mining company intends to displace the villagers arguing that the families were settled on its lease area.
Bikita District Development Coordinator Benard Hadzirabwi confirmed the matter in an interview with The Midweek Watch. He said the farmers were allocated the land under the Land Reform Programme in the year 2000.
“I am not sure about the exact number of the families affected but these villagers were settled in the area which was earlier on earmarked for Bikita Minerals’ expansion.
“The mining company however, is expected to face all the relocation costs to compensate the affected families,” he said.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch, Bikita Minerals Public Relations Officer Collins Nikisi said they have engaged with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and local leadership to resolve the issue.
“We currently coexist with families occupying the mine lease and farm area. However, we acknowledge that some community members occupying the mine’s lease and farm may be directly affected by our operations. To address these concerns, we are engaging with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, and local leadership, including the District Development Coordinator, Chief Marozva, and councillors. Through continuous dialogue, we aim to discuss and resolve issues affecting the community in our area of operations,” he said.
The affected villagers include Adonia Togara,Loice Tsinyamai, Rejoice Ruvengo,Caroline Zinyemba Godhelp Tinarwo , Deliwe Ncube to mention just a few.
In an interview, Ruvengo said they have no option but to cooperate with the lithium miner.
“We do not have any option now, we just hope we will be relocated to a better place and we also hope the mining company will compensate us fairly,” she said.
Another villager, Togara said they are being pressured to leave the area and are appealing to Government to make sure that their relocation was done in accordance with the law and in a win, win situation.
“We are under pressure from the mining company. We want a fair relocation rather than eviction. We hope government will come to our rescue to make sure that everything is up to standard.
“What we want is an orderly relocation with the support from Bikita Minerals and government,” he said.
Other villagers said they are ready to leave the area to occupy land under Chief Mukanganwi’s area.
They said they are no longer safe as they continue to inhale toxic gases produced by the miner.
“We are no longer safe, our health is at stake because everyday we inhale unpleasant gases. We will be relocating to an area under Chief Mukanganwi where some of our relatives are staying. We don’t have an option now,” said another villager.
Bikita Rural District Council Ward 11 Councillor Lawrence Vhovha said the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights were expected to deal with the case.
“The case was reported to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and we hope they will resolve the matter so that the affected families get support from the lithium miner,” he said.
