By Mannex Mauya

In Bhidhiri, Mukwasi, Tagara, Mbenjani,Tame and Madhewu villages, the families which had prepared materials to build toilets and other structures on their homes were stopped by Maximind mine officials comprising of 3 Chinese nationals and 1 Zimbabwean. Some villagers have been asked not to undertake any farming activities on the pegged land this farming season. The reason for being stopped was that there was probability of the families building toilets and other structures and then moved or relocated in a very short space of time to pave way for Mining activities.

Surprisingly, the Bhidhiri area under Village Head Mukwasi, Madhewu, Mbenjani and Tame have beacons installed by Maximind as far back as 2017 and beacons installed by Itai syndicate in 2025, an arrangement of war veterans who are into mining intending to mine tantalum. Maximind (Sabi Star mine) has pegs stretching from Mwerahari River to Save River, a distance of more than 50km. Some of their beacons are dated 2025, a clear indication that they intent to enlarge their territory.

It is still not clear how the two companies that installed beacons in the same area will operate without interfering with each other. The worry is not on their interference with each other but the disturbance that the activities may have on the habitats of the area.

The community has held various meetings discussing how they may react to this unconsented arrangement by both the war veterans and and an international development project under Maximind Investments.

Buhera Residents Network Trust, a Community Based Organization working with other community based organizations, Community Innovations for Development (CIDe), Zimbabwe Grassroots Solutions (ZIGASo) and Community Alliance for Social and Economic Progress (CASEP) have been conscientizing the affected residents on their right to have informed consent before they are relocated. They brought in some national Civic organizations like Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organization, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Community Water Alliance to assist in the conscientization.

Legality and morality were both explored and clarity was made that legality takes precedence over morality.
The community indicated that they would want to petition Parliament of Zimbabwe over a number of human rights violations. They thanked the CBOs and the CSOs for enlightening them. They said they now feel empowered to stand for their rights.