Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Ezra Chadzimira reportedly formed a syndicate to mine gold at a gold-rich claim in Rumwanda or Hwendedzo, Masvingo North and excluded President Mnangagwa’s brothers Benson and David and their sons despite the Mnangagwa brothers’ numerous pleas to be included in the venture, NewZimbabwe reports.
Last month, Chadzamira reportedly used ZRP and soldiers to drive out all artisanal miners in the gold-rich area and then formed a powerful alliance with war veterans and other syndicates in the area to continue mining there, after driving out close to 100 artisanal miners.
A source privy to the ongoing in the area told the publication that Zanu PF cars were seen in the area at first but now they are using different top of the range vehicles:
During the early days, they would arrive driving in marked Zanu PF vehicles, but are now using different top-of-the-range cars.
A villager that spoke to the publication on the issue said Chadzamira’s people are even treating them unfairly:
We are being treated unfairly. We are the first people who started mining at this place but when the minister came everything changed.
Whatever we find we split it with the syndicate and they are forcing us to use their hammer mill in Mashava for gold processing. In fact, we are just doing work for the minister’s syndicate.”
Chadzamira who refused to comment on the reports that he is mining in the area after blocking President’s brothers said people are using his name for their own personal reasons. However, sources close to the developments said he appointed one Allen Sibanda, and Zanu PF Masvingo provincial youth chairperson Godfrey Huruva to monitor mining activities at the site.
More: New Zimbabwe