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The Chegutu community, led by Bryden Country School, is considering legal action to halt the development of an illegal cement and brick molding plant, along with a nearby limestone quarry proposed by Shuntai Investments, a Chinese firm. These projects, which have raised serious environmental and health concerns among local residents, have prompted widespread alarm.
By Ryan Chigoche
- Bryden Country School, a 42-year-old institution in Chegutu, finds itself at the center of a growing dispute following Shuntai Investments’ proposal to build a cement and brick molding plant alongside a limestone quarry just 497 meters from the school. These projects have sparked fears that they will pose significant environmental and health risks to the local community.
Shuntai, recently fined by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for proceeding with the projects without the necessary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate, has failed to respond to the school’s requests for vital information, such as the project proposal, site plans, and local authority approvals. This lack of transparency has raised serious doubts about the project’s compliance with regulatory standards.
A primary concern is the health risks posed by cement dust, which contains harmful silica. Given the prevailing southerly winds, there are fears that the dust could spread across Chegutu, affecting not only residents but also local schools, businesses, and institutions such as Chegutu Hospital. Farmers, especially those raising livestock, are also at risk, as the dust could harm animals, including day-old chicks.
In a recent meeting attended by Bryden, local residents, parents, Chegutu Municipality representatives, and the District Development Coordinator (DDC), it emerged that the local authorities had no prior knowledge of the project and that no approved plans exist for it. This has raised further concerns about regulatory oversight and the company’s transparency in its dealings.
In a statement released to Mining Zimbabwe, the Bryden School Board of Governors said, “The Chegutu community does welcome economic development and the creation of jobs; however, this must be done legally and responsibly. The brazen defiance of law and procedures by Shuntai is extremely concerning, and the community is considering approaching the courts for appropriate relief. The projects are only 4.5 kilometers from the center of Chegutu. The current aerial view of the site places the cement factory less than 500 meters from the school boundary, the quarry 360 meters from the school boundary, and a road connecting the two less than 60 meters from the school boundary—being extremely close to the cross-country course, which children run daily.”
The close proximity of these industrial activities to educational institutions and residential areas raises serious concerns regarding potential environmental and health impacts. The noise from blasting, heavy machinery, and the spread of dust are seen as direct threats to the well-being of those living and working in the area.
While the community supports economic development, they insist that it should never come at the expense of public health or the environment. This proximity has raised serious concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts. Notably, it is worth mentioning that a cement factory in Matabeleland is 11 kilometers from Bulawayo, while another in the Midlands is almost 30 kilometers from Gweru (and 15 kilometers from Lalapanzi).
The proposed Shuntai Cement Factory, however, will be just 4.5 kilometers from the center of Chegutu. Given the prevailing south-easterly winds, the factory will likely have a detrimental effect on the air quality in Chegutu. Other affected parties will include residents, businesses, institutions (such as Chegutu Hospital), and farmers, particularly those raising livestock, including day-old chicks.
Additionally, the project raises serious concerns about zoning violations. The land earmarked for the cement plant is designated for educational and institutional use, which includes Bryden School and the nearly completed Seventh-Day Adventist University. With the cement factory less than 500 meters from the school’s boundary and the quarry just 360 meters away, the proximity of these industrial activities to educational and residential areas presents significant safety risks. The noise from blasting and heavy machinery further exacerbates the situation, potentially disrupting the educational environment and affecting the well-being of residents.
While the Chegutu community supports economic development and job creation, they are adamant that such progress must be achieved legally and responsibly. The Shuntai Cement Factory and quarry, with their potential to harm public health and the environment, have sparked a strong resolve among local residents to hold the company accountable. As they prepare to approach the courts, the legal outcome could set an important precedent for industrial projects in Zimbabwe, demonstrating the need for strict enforcement of environmental and health regulations.
Shuntai’s actions are not an isolated case. Chinese companies in Zimbabwe have a long history of flouting regulations, particularly in the mining sector. Reports have frequently surfaced about Chinese-owned mining companies operating illegally, disregarding environmental standards, and failing to engage in meaningful corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
This track record has contributed to the growing mistrust of Chinese firms operating in Zimbabwe, with many local communities raising alarms about environmental damage and the exploitation of workers. The pattern of legal violations and poor compliance with local regulations in the mining and industrial sectors has fueled concerns that Shuntai’s cement and quarry projects may be yet another example of this troubling trend.
