A long running attempt to have the alleged intruders at
Zawadi Mining removed have drawn blanks as the provincial leadership in
government and police are accused of failing to resolve the matter.
The fight over the lucrative gold claims has since spilled into
the courts as owners of Zawadi Mining Private Limited led by Asante Mayeka are
battling a group of farmers operating under Revmark Mining Syndicate.
Zawadi has sought protection from the alleged invaders but
the police are taking longer than expected to act. Zawadi Mining filed a
complaint against Revmark syndicate members with the police in June 2020 under
case number RRB 471475 ZRP Concession. Again, no action was taken.
The matter was also reported to the Mashonaland Central
provincial Mines and Mining Development ministry and police’s Minerals Flora
and Fauna Unit. The Provincial Affairs minister Monica Mavhunga is also said to
be in the know of the raging dispute and has failed to resolve the matter.
Sources said Revmark Mining Syndicate was given an
opportunity to present its case to Mavhunga.
This was after Revmark syndicate members gained entry into the Zawadi
mining claims.
Mavhunga did not respond to questions sent via WhatsApp
while her mobile phone went unanswered several times.
The fight over the mine spilled into the High Court where
Justice David Mangota referred the matter to the Mines and Mining Development
ministry for resolution. Revmark (the applicant) had escalated the matter with
the High Court against Zawadi Mining.
In part the July 21, 2021 judgment reads, “Where upon after
reading documents filed of record and hearing counsel it is ordered by consent
that the application be and is hereby withdrawn.
“The dispute between the parties be and hereby referred to
the ministry of Mines and Mining Development for resolution. 1st respondent
(Zawadi) shall continue erecting its fence around the claim known as Murodzi 45
and shall provide access for the applicants to and from their fields and
pastures between the hours of 6am and 6pm.
“The applicant hereby undertakes not to, in any way
interfere with the mining operations of Zawadi Mining Pvt Ltd including
carrying out any mining activities within that mining company’s claim known as
Murodzi 45. In the event that the applicant breach paragraph (4) of this order,
the 1st respondent be and is hereby authorised to close the entrance leading to
its claim known as Murodzi 45.”
But Revmark has allegedly been in breach of the court
order.
The dispute is raging like veld fire, prompting Zawadi’s
lawyers to petition police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga.
In a letter dated December 23, 2021, Joel Mambara and
Partners representing Zawadi Mining pleaded for Matanga’s intervention.
The letter reads: “We act on behalf of our client Zawadi
Mining Pvt Ltd, a company duly registered with the laws of Zimbabwe. Hence note
our legal interest. Our client made a report of theft of gold against Vavarirai
Revesai and his accomplices, Isaac Mukazi, Christopher Mukazi, Anymore
Makarichi, and Andrew Chaboka under RRB4714575.
“They are threatening our client‘s employees as of December
23, 2021 in violation of a court order
HC 37557/1. As of today nothing has happened and the police did not go to
collect samples to determine the correct value of gold stolen as well as
conduct any investigations,” the letter reads.
“What it basically means is that the police are now
under-policing /investigating and as such the case runs the risk of being
thrown out of court for lack of evidence. I must state that I am a holder of
mining rights and our client mine is registered under Murodzi 45 concession.”
Revmark Mining Syndicate leader Vavarirai Revesai’s phone
went unanswered after several attempts to get his comment while Zawadi
representatives declined to discuss the matter, saying it was subjudice.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi was not available for
comment. Zimbabwe Independent
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