Patrick Chitumba

Midlands Bureau Chief

A health hazard is looming in Shurugwi District, amid indications of a surge in cancer and tuberculosis cases linked to cyanide and mercury that is being used by artisanal miners.

Villagers said they had lost more than 100 cattle, which were trapped in muddy waters and unreclaimed pits left by the artisanal miners and some mining companies operating in the district.

Most of the pits are filled with water that is contaminated with the two chemicals, which the miners use in their mining processes.

Communities and livestock are exposed to contaminated drinking water and the mining activities affect pastures and irrigation schemes.

Various rudimentary methods of mining used by artisanal miners have led to deforestation and the siltation of rivers.

This came out during a Women and Land in Zimbabwe meeting in Gweru yesterday, that was attended by members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Mines and Mining Development chaired by Shurugwi South MP Cde Edmond Mkaratigwa and Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, chaired by Mberengwa North MP Cde Tafanana Zhou.

The meeting followed a fact-finding mission by the two portfolio committees after Women and Land in Zimbabwe wrote a petition to Parliament, demanding laws that protect farmers, especially woman in Shurugwi who were being affected by activities of artisanal miners.

Mr Dickson Nyamande, the chairperson of Selukwe Farm — whose farming activities have been affected by uncontrolled artisanal mining — said personally he lost eight cattle that fell into craters left after mining activities.

He said fellow farmers and plot holders have lost over 100 cattle, adding that they were forced to use contaminated water from Mutekwi River, which he said was drying up due to siltation.

“We are not against mining, but it should be done in a controlled manner so that we are not affected. I have lost eight cattle, which fell in the pits left by these miners while collectively as farmers from Selukwe Farm we have lost over 100 cattle. The situation is bad,” said Mr Nyamande.

He said there was an increase in cases of villagers with skin diseases as well as TB.

“Villagers are in trouble, they are facing siltation of rivers, their health is being compromised and they are losing livestock. We need laws that protect us because we can’t all be miners,” he said.

According to Mr Peter Mukwena, a farmer at Edward Farm plot 6 in Shurugwi along Zvishavane road, he lost two bulls.

Cde Mkaratigwa said there was conflict between farmers and artisanal miners which he said was being addressed through the crafting of the land policy.

“Our main focus here was conducting an inquiry with regards to a petition we received from Woman and Land in Zimbabwe on behalf of communities that are involved in agricultural activities. We confirmed that there is conflict in terms of farming and mining activities that are taking place in the areas as alluded to by the petitioners. It is now an eyesore because of environmental damage created by mining activities,” he said

Cde Mkaratigwa said it is President Mnangagwa’s desire that miners and farmers co-exist for the growth of the two sectors and the country at large.

“At the moment there is no pronounced land policy, but I hear the Ministry is seized with crafting a lands policy. We are seized with the finalisation of the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill and I can confirm that as per the reservations by President Mnangagwa, there is a gap that exists and the reservation speaks to the desire by the President to make sure that the vulnerable people, women and children are protected. The farmers and the miners must co-exist. It is President Mnangagwa’s desire to see the enactment of the law that brings about harmony,” he said.

Women and Land in Zimbabwe national coordinator Mrs Thandiwe Chidavarume the petitioners beseeched the Parliament to push for the finalisation of the two Acts that is the Land Act and the Mines and Minerals Act.

“The Ministry of Mines should hold its clients that are miners and companies accountable for their actions and make sure that in pursuing their business they also respect a farmers’ rights. The  Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement should protect its farmers, whose business is a key enabler of the economy. Environmental Management Agency should give heavy penalties to those who fail to use resources like land sustainably,” said Mrs Chidavarume.