Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Appolonia
Munzverengi is being accused of using her political muscle to grab a mining
claim owned by Mekasi Engineering.
The company claim that the minister had no documentation,
showing she was the rightful owner of the mine. Mekasi Engineering director Amos Kawisha said Munzverengi
was disrupting mining activities and hired Zanu PF youths and police officers
led by one Superintendent Zhou to forcefully stop operating.
Kawisha said he applied to the Mines ministry for a special
grant to mine gold in the reserved area of Umfurudzi Game Park, and the
ministry confirmed that there was no registered title on the area applied for.
According to documents that NewsDay is in possession of,
Mashonaland provincial surveyor, one N Chitaukire, in a letter dated June 6,
2019, acknowledged receiving an application by Mekasi Engineering, saying the
description of the claim they applied for had no registered titles,
“This office acknowledges having received an area status to
apply for a special grant in reserved area Umfurudzi Game Park by Mekasi
Engineering Contractors,” Chitaukire’s letter, copied to provincial mining
director Malcom Mazemo, read.
“It was noted that description of the area that was
submitted in the application fully describes the area that is being applied
for. There are no current registered titles on the area being applied for and
the area is not under contest, according to the claims map. This application
can be made on the following co-ordinates, provided they have clearance from
National Parks.”
Chitaukire’s letter was in response to the Mines permanent
secretary, signed by one J Mhiribidi, who asked for investigations into the
matter after Mekasi Engineering wrote that there was a potential miner who was
trying to kick them out of their claim, alleging they were the prior owners.
Kawisha then applied for clearance from the Zimbabwe Parks
and Wildlife Management Authority to mine gold in the Umfurudzi Safari Area,
and they were cleared on June 12, 2019 by parks director-general Fulton
Mangwanya.
“The Parks and Wildlife had no objections to the mining of
gold in the area as long the company is complying with provisions of the Parks
and Wildlife Act and other legislative requirements. Should your office require
further information, please, contact us,” Mangwanya’s letter read.
Kawisha said he invited the minister to show the documents
that prove the claim was hers, but she brought a document that could not be
verified by the ministry.
But the minister denied the allegations that she hired Zanu
PF youths, but confirmed to NewsDay that she engaged the police and
Environmental Management Authority officials to force Mekasi Engineering from
further mining until the dispute was resolved.
“He must tell you the truth. I have not sent anyone to the
place. Actually, I went to the mine with my child and niece and other
relatives. I have the permit of that claim since 2010 and that place is mine.
Call the mining director for Mashonaland Mr Mazemo. They are the custodians of
the mining claims. He will tell you who the owner of that claim is. He is
talking of applying, but I have the permit,”Munzverengi said.
NewsDay then asked for proof of ownership, but Munzverengi
promised to bring the document since Friday last week, but did not do so.
Newsday
0 comments:
Post a Comment