MIDWEEK REPORTER
MUTARE-Residents and registered artisanal miners in the Liverpool area of Penhalonga are up in arms against Pastor Naison Chikodzore for allegedly engaging in illegal mining at his school, Elim Primary.
The residents and artisanal miners are accusing Pastor Chikodzore of engaging in illegal mining activities on school grounds and pegging off some of their claims, and have called upon the responsible authorities to intervene before the situation deteriorates.
Community members and artisanal miners with claims near the school told The Midweek Watch that they are concerned about activities taking place at the premises. They allege that hammer mills have been set-up near the school, while tuckshops operating within are reportedly selling dangerous drugs. The residents further claim artisanal miners frequently enter the school premises to take gold samples thereby disrupting educational activities.
They further allege that gold ore being processed at the hammer mills within the school premises may have been stolen from other mining sites in the area.
“We suspect some of the ore milled there is not coming from that area. It’s being brought in from claims around Liverpool and Redwing,” claimed one artisanal miner who declined to be named, citing fear of victimization.
Residents also expressed surprise that the school has already erected a perimeter fence which they claim encroaches into other people’s registered mining claims. The fence, they said, has escalated tensions between the school and adjacent claim holders who say their boundaries are now disputed.
“We are now hopeless with the way Pastor Chikodzore is doing business at the school. We are not sure if this is still about God’s business or he has now ventured into full-scale mining while at the same time conducting lessons for our children,” said David Chirau, a resident.
Chirau further alleged environmental concerns.
“At Elim primary school we have clean water flowing from Mutare falls into Mutare river and this water gets polluted by mercury when it reaches the school fence because of the illegal mining activities taking place within the school premises.
“We are not sure if the Pastor is minding school business only. We have seen hammer mills around the school and miners coming in and out. The tuckshops within the school yard are also a cause for concern for ourchildren as there are reports that they may be selling drugs,” added another resident who requested anonymity.
Artisanal miners operating adjacent the claims said the presence of mining related activities at the school has created tension.
“We follow the law and peg our claims properly. If mining is happening inside a school, authorities must look into it,” said one miner.
Efforts to get comment from Pastor Chikodzore and the Elim Primary School administration were unsuccessful by the time of posting the story.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) provincial publicist Alice Rutsvara said she has not received a formal report but would investigate any case of mining in undesignated areas once a complaint is lodged.
“Mining in school premises is not permitted under the law. If there is evidence we will take action in line with the Mines and Minerals Act and EMA regulations,” she said.
Residents said they fear the alleged activities could compromise learner safety, the learning environment and local water sources.
