ZCDC fulfils promise to improve Zimunya-Marange community
THE Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) recently fulfilled pledges made in 2016 to the Zimunya and Marange community of Manicaland to improve their area after it finally constructed two modern courts for traditional leaders in the area.
The 2019 construction of traditional court premises is in fulfilment of pledges made early on in 2016 by the company to improve the livelihoods of the local community and traditional leaders after it took over diamond mining operations there.
Seven companies, among them Marange Resources, Diamond Mining Company, Gyn Nyame Resources, Kusena Diamonds and Mbada Diamonds, who were licenced to mine alluvial diamonds in 2016, had failed to meet their pledges to develop the communities.
In 2016, these companies were collapsed and consolidated into State-owned ZCDC.
’The new state-of-the-art courts will now see traditional leaders moving from presiding over their cases under trees to the new courts with modern facilities,” Killian Ukama, ZCDC spokesperson, said at a recent ceremony to mark the handover of the modern courts.
“This social responsibility project has been on the cards for a long time, but I am happy that ZCDC has now delivered on its promise,” Ukama said.
“ZCDC will continue to work with traditional leaders to improve the lives of the communities, as stability and development in rural communities can bring about economic opportunities,” he added.
After diamonds were discovered in Marange communal lands in 2006, many people, especially those living in villages around Chiadzwa, expected their living standards to undergo positive transformation.
The diamond mining companies had promised them decent housing, employment and compensation for loss of quality livelihoods, but had until their disbandment failed to fulfil their undertakings_Zimmorning Post