MUTARE - Irate villagers in diamond-rich Chiadzwa have refused to be relocated to Arda Transau, claiming the mining companies should pay them compensation. The villagers, through their traditional leadership, have also said that companies involved in diamond mining have not built proper housing and health facilities for them. Three companies Angin Investments, a Chinese mining company; Canadile, and Mbada are mining diamonds in Chiadzwa, but have failed to fulfil the promises that they had made to Chiadzwa families before relocating them.
This came to light when The Zimbabwean visited the area last weekend. Those affected are demanding $50,000 per family. The villagers are also demanding proper homes, health centres, schools and recreational facilities. So far, 12 families have been relocated and they say they are now living in squalid conditions.
There is no clean water and children are still attending schools in Chiadzwa, travelling more than 60km a day. Anyone who falls ill has to travel 35km to a clinic at Odzi. Headman Patrick Chiadzwa said they would only accept relocation when the mining companies met all their demands. He added that the families had invested a lot in their properties and relocating them would be grossly unjust.
Traditional leader Simon Chirasika said: We will not go anywhere. This is our land. It belongs to our ancestors. We have some graves of our departed ones and family members. It is unethical to exhume and rebury the bodies to an area that is not a place of origin. It is against our culture and tradition. With the help of the former Manicaland provincial governor, Chris Mushowe, security agents and the army are reported to be going door-to-door, forcing families to abide by the eviction order. But the elders and traditional leaders say they are prepared to die for their demands.
Post published in: News