Outrage over Moflegosh mine cemetery operations
Norton Legislator Temba Mliswa has challenged the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Ministry of Environment to cancel a special grant mining licence at Moflegosh mine in Norton whose activities are encroaching into the town’s graveyard.
Rudairo Mapuranga
Mining in graveyards is a violation of section 16 of the country’s Constitution, which states that the government and all institutions of government shall respect the cultural values and heritage of this country.
Speaking at the mine in Norton last week, Mliswa said it was shocking that the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development granted Moflegosh a permit to extract gold at graveyards going against the country’s cultural norms of respecting the dead.
Mliswa also challenged the Environment Management Agency (EMA) to recommend to the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Winston Chitando to cancel the Moflegosh Special Grant.
“The encroachment of miners into the Norton Cemetery remains a grave issue. Some illegal miners have previously dug the road in Boterekwa and can dig up the graves if not dealt with here in Norton.
“As EMA you have the power to recommend the cancellation of this mining licence because they are not adhering to environmental laws.
“We have to approach the Minister of Mines and Mining Development and the Minister of Environment to come here and assess this situation,” Mliswa said.
The Centre for Natural Resource Governance Zimbabwe (CNRG Zimbabwe) has been advocating for mining companies to respect the country’s cultural laws by respecting the country’s traditions. The CNRG has been saying that for the government to allow mining companies to dig or explore for minerals in graveyards is a desecration of the cultural values of that community and Zimbabwe as a whole.
“A cemetery is the most sacred place in any community in Zimbabwe such that even the people of that community cannot just visit it as and when they want to.
“Desecration of a cemetery has a spiritual effect on the community, it brutalizes people’s souls,” said Farai Maguwu, director of the CNRG Zimbabwe.