SYDNEY MUBAIWA
BIKITA-Eight families who were settled at George Nollen Farm under Chief Marozva are facing evictions as Bikita Minerals Pvt Ltd says the farmers were settled under its lease area.
Bikita District Development Coordinator Benard Hadzirabwi confirmed the development in an interview.
Hadzirabwi said the farmers who occupied the area in 2000 under the Land Reform Programme will be relocated to another place with the lithium miner bearing all costs.
” I am not sure about the exact number of families to be relocated. The villagers occupied the area which was earlier on earmarked for Bikita Minerals’ expansion.
“Feasibility studies are currently underway by the lithium miner which is going to pay for all the relocation costs,” 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 with The Midweek Watch, 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 pressured to leave the area appealing to Government to make sure that their relocation was done properly.
“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 above board and to the satisfaction of both parties.
” 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 mining giant.
” 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.
