By Effort Manono
The land dispute between the Chisumbanje villagers and Greenfuel Mining Company in Chipinge is far from being over with villagers crying that the investor invaded the land left by their forefathers without notice and compensation.
Chisumbanje villagers hosted a team from Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to discuss issues affecting the villagers. The invasion that was done by Greenfuel Mining Company has affected our economic life as a community.
”The coming of the investor had affected us socially and economically for our father’s land which was taken and has forced our spouses to migrate to other countries in search of greener pastures. It is now affecting us women since we are now heads of families plus we no longer have ample time with our husbands” Mai Chikomba said
”Economically we were robbed of our source of living for we used to do farming to send our kids to school. Now there are more drop outs since we are no longer able to send our children to school.” she added.
We have representatives we believed can represent us in Parliament but they are no longer visible. We have poor health services at our local clinics and hospitals. There are no drugs yet they want us to pay consultation fee. We want a shoulder to lean on but our Member of Parliament Enock Porusungazi is nowhere to be found.
Among the issues raised in the meeting was the road connecting Tanganda and Chiredzi which is now a death trap, it is claiming people’s lives nearly every week. Recently, two accidents were recorded one between Rimbi and Mbeure and the other one at Machona.
“We want our MP to relay this to the president but we last saw him on the Election Day” said Mr Myondozi
Mr Mugovera pointed out that Member of Parliament for Chipinge South Cde Porusingazi collected money to source food for villagers but up to now he has never showed up. He advised us to raise funds to ferry maize from the GMB last year until today now we never received them and we don’t know whether he is to do so or he has used the money for his campaigns. ”
Mr Chirimambowa appealed for help from the legal experts present. ”Help us please, we need your advice on how we can have solutions to these issues. ”
“As villagers you need to unite and speak in one voice, put your leaders to account. We have noted all your concerns and we will engage Greenfuel, Village heads, DA councillors and MPS. Some of the issues you raised does not need people from outside to help you address them. You can have delegates to make some follow ups especially the issue of food contributions. Gone are the days leaders used to abuse power that is why you are reading about Ministers being arrested for abuse of office.”said Tsitsi Mutinhima (Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission).
“After engaging all stakeholders mentioned we are going to compile a report on our findings send it to the parliament where the leadership will be summoned to testify and probably reveal how they addressed the issues that were raised “she added.
The villagers expressed their joy and thanked ZHRC for opening up their minds.
