Kambeni, a member of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church, is demanding accommodation that matches the 17 three roomed houses and kitchens that he owned in Chiadzwa before he was relocated to Arda Transau by the mining firm Anjin.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Regional Manager for Manicaland, Blessing Nyamaropa confirmed the development and said Kambeni was cautioned together with his 14 wives for staying in the housing units illegally.
“They were charged for trespassing and staying in housing units belonging to another mining company called Giani,” said Nyamaropa.
“They were cautioned and the statements were recorded at Odzi police station,” he said.
Kambeni and his family refused an eight roomed housing unit, 14 bathrooms, toilets and round thatched huts offered by Anjin arguing that they did not match the infrastructure that the family had lost before being displaced by the mining firm.
Chiadzwa Community Development Trust Coordinator, Melanie Muponda said mining companies involved in the extractive sector should own up and deliver on their promises instead of turning citizens into paupers.
“Mining companies should be held accountable and they should deliver,” she said, adding that the Chiadzwa community was not benefitting from diamond mining.
Post published in: News
The government of Zimbabwe continues to abrogate its duty. It must take responsibility together with the Chinese firm for the relocation of those people. We have now our own government repeating the same atrocities against the Marange people who were victimized by the colonial regime. History repeats itself!