C-Mine residents evicted, structures destroyed by new owner
Residents of C-Mine in Mberengwa who had settled at the mine since its closure in 1999 have been evicted by the new owner.
By Regererai Muchineripi
The mineworkers, their children and illegal settlers/miners are now homeless after the new owner destroyed some homes that were housing the groups.
Sources have named the new investor as a Mr Yakubu.
According to the Centre of Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) director Mr Farai Maguwu, the families are now staying in the open.
“More than 60 houses demolished to force 200 families of former mineworkers out of premises of Sutton Mining Company, formerly Mine C, in Mberengwa. They now live in the open. This is how we treat our own in pursuit of a $12 billion mining economy by 2023,” Maguwu said.
When Mining Zimbabwe visited Mberengwa attending the Mines and Mining Development Portfolio Committee fact-finding mission last month concerns were raised by former mineworkers and their children about overcrowding and criminal acts at the mine. The concerned members said the mine was now densely populated by invaders looking for gold at the mine. The invaders were reportedly settling themselves at the mine. Former miners and mineworkers children requested assistance to eject all people who were illegally staying at the mine and only leave them at the mine.
Former mineworkers children also said for they had got wind that the mine now had new owners. The group asked to be in touch with the owners so that they would apply for tributes.
“We heard the mine now has new owners. We would like to ask for a meeting with them so that we ask to get tributes because we would also want to benefit from resources in our area. We will be happy if they meet the people who have been custodians of the mine since its closure,” said a son of a former mine worker.
Reports also say the new owner has warmed up to former mineworkers and their children. It is not yet clear what new arrangement he has with them.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Chairman for Midlands province Mr Makumba Nyenje said he will visit C-Mine to assess the situation at the Mine.