Chinese company apologises for mining without traditional blessings
A Chinese diamond company, Anjin Investment, which resumed operations early this year, has publicly apologised to Headman Chiadzwa for resuming operations without a paying courtesy call to the traditional leader first.
Vongai Mbara
Speaking at Headman Chiadzwa’s compound last week, Anjin human resources manager Amon Mhlanga apologized for the company’s resuming operations without paying a courtesy call to the traditional leader as per traditional protocols.
“We would like to apologise to Headman Chiadzwa for our failure to pay a courtesy call when we came back to mine in his area. We are very sorry and we admit that we erred. We did not follow the protocol to visit the headman and advise him of our presence in his area,” said Mhlanga.
The meeting was held in conjunction with a visit by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development led by Hon Edmond Mukaratigwa.
Present at Headman Chiadzwa’s homestead were community-based, and civil society organisations among other stakeholders.
Mhlanga went on to advise the community that their company was no longer involved in human rights violations.
“We know there are legacy issues but we promise you to resolve some of the outstanding issues. Our company is not yet financially strong like ZCDC (Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company). We are still trying to make things work but definitely, we will attend to community issues,” Mhlanga concluded.
He promised to engage his Chinese counterparts on the issue of respecting local cultures and observing human rights.