Staff Reporter
MVUMA- Authorities over the past years promised villagers in Manhize who had been relocated from their ancestral land a better life are turning out to be promises and lies.
The villagers in Rusununguko and Singleton were displaced to pave way for the giant Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO).
In an interview with The Midweek Watch, the villagers said they were promised decent accommodation, proper health and educational facilities among other basic necessities by the Chinese miner but nothing materialised and they are living in abject poverty.
“We never thought we would end up living like this. The Chinese miner failed to honour its promises. The six houses which were poorly constructed have already developed cracks.
“Dinson promised to construct a bridge linking Rusununguko and Nyikavanhu villages so that it becomes easier for us to cross the Munyati river during the rainy season but nothing like that happened,” said a farmer who prayed for anonymity in fear of being victimised.
The farmer said at Rusununguko, essential services such as schools and health facilities are not available.
He said villagers walk a distance of about 8-10 kilometres to their former village in Nyikavanhu to access these services.
“What wrong have we done? They forced us to leave our ancestral land and only dump us like this without adequate services,” he said.
The irate villagers also argue that the relocation process was not conducted in a transparent manner.
“We were forced to sign compensation forms against our will. They intimidated us at meetings on several occasions. They would come at meetings in the company of Central Intelligence Organisation officers and Zanu-PF bigwigs,” said another villagers who preferred only to be called Kundai.
“The discovery of minerals in our area should have been a blessing not a curse. We are calling on the government to help us so that we also live decent lives,” she said.
According to a recent report by Centre for Research and Development (CRD) women in Manhize are bearing the brunt of forced displacements. The report argued that the relocation in Manhize was a serious humanitarian case that calls for urgent intervention by humanitarian organisations and the government.
The report said the mining company drilled six shallow boreholes which dry up during the summer season.
“At Singleton, women have suffered most. Families have been fetching water for domestic use and their livestock at another farm, several kilometres away because all six boreholes drilled by Dinson had dried up.
“Due to increased rainfall and raising water tables, families are currently drawing water from shallow wells they have dug,” reads part of the report.
According to information availed to CRD by relocated families, water surveyors had recommended drilling of the boreholes which are 120 metres deep to secure reliable ground water for the villagers. However, Dinson only went up to 80 metres before abandoning the project.
“The pain of losing valuables without compensation has deeply affected victims of mining displacements at Inhoek, Singleton and Rusununguko communities.
“Women have been hurt the most .Some have succumbed to the pain …,” further reads the report.
The report further highlighted that the farmers were struggling to defend their rights citing intimidation, death threats and arrests by security agencies.
“On 8 November, 2024 officials from the Ministry of Lands railroaded elderly inhabitants of Inhoek farm to consent to relocation by signing compensation agreement forms. The farmers requested time with the documents to consult and have their concerns addressed before consenting to the mutual agreement. Some elderly farmers requested permission to take pictures of the consent forms to send to their children on WhatsApp but they were denied.
“Farmers were warned that resisting consenting documents would be regarded as going against the government…,” reads part of the report
The report also highlighted that farmers raised their concerns about the nature of the newly constructed houses which have already developed cracks.
In the report, farmers said Dinson was using brick force sparingly for reinforcing walls. They also observed that the builders were using 4 or 5 inches instead of the standard thickness of 8 to 10 inches recommended in constructing exterior walls for housing.
The report said the aggrieved farmers aired their grievances by writing a letter which was copied to the Office of the President and Cabinet, Industry and Commerce Ministry and the Ministry of Lands.
In an interview, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands ,Agriculture ,Fisheries ,Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said the evaluation process was fairly conducted.
“All was done properly and was above board. You can still find out that even a farmer with a one -room kitchen hut would demand a huge compensation figure.
“I would want to advise these farmers to create a committee that we will deal so that we make sure that their grievances are addressed,” he said.
Dinson Public Relations officer Joseph Shoko said compensation process has started.
“People should stop peddling lies, everything was done properly. There is nothing like that. Things were done properly and the villagers have started to receive compensation in their accounts,” he said.
Manhize villagers however have a history of being victimised by security agencies.
In 2022, about 100 villagers from Inhoek Farm protested against the Chinese miner over loss of land.
After the demonstration, those who were actively involved were pursued by security agencies and were forced to run away and seek refuge in the nearby mountains for a couple of weeks.
In February last year, seven women and their babies were arrested by four officers and were taken to Mvuma Police Station where they were detained overnight on allegations of illegal settlement.
In a week’s time, twelve villagers were arrested on allegations of the same charges and they appeared before Mvuma Resident Magistrate, Constance Mtandwa.
Stalled with hunger and inhuman treatment, the villagers staged a demonstration against the Chinese miner on 14 June, 2024 .
They blocked Dinson trucks demanding an audience with the company’s management.
After the demonstration, Mvuma District Development Coordinator Jorum Chimedza together with CIO officials ,Dinson Mine management, Zanu-PF members, Chief Chirumhanzu and police officers denounced the villagers for holding a demonstration.
They were labeled opposition supporters who are bend to tarnish President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 agenda
