Headman Seeks High Court Interdict On Mining, Dam Construction On Sacred Sites

A village head in Mashonaland West has approached the High Court, seeking an interdict to stop Pan Africa Mining (Pvt) Ltd’s operations and the construction of a dam along the Mupfure River.

Headman Tobias Ruse Gumboreshumba, of Gumboreshumba Village under Chief Chivero, alleges the mining company’s activities are destroying sacred cultural heritage sites where First Chimurenga heroes Sekuru Kaguvi Gumboreshumba, Chief Chinengundu Mashayamombe and others are buried.

In his application, Headman Gumboreshumba seeks an order compelling Pan Africa Mining to cease operations immediately.

He said his subjects, who are descendants of Sekuru Kaguvi and Chief Mashayamombe, as well as communities on both sides of the Mupfure River, oppose the destruction of the sites.

He told the court that efforts to engage the company had been fruitless. Trucks had been frequently seen carrying out construction work along the Mupfure River and within the sacred sites, he said.

The community has also petitioned Parliament to intervene urgently and stop the company’s operations.

Headman Gumboreshumba said he had further engaged the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) over the matter.

Pan Africa Mining, the Minister of Mechanisation and Water Resources, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe and ZINWA were cited as respondents.

“The construction site of the dam sits at the very heart of the monuments and heritage sites of First Chimurenga Heroes, namely Sekuru Kaguvi Gumboreshumba and Paramount Chief Chinengundu Mashayamombe,” Headman Gumboreshumba said in his application.

“The monuments and heritage sites at the area include sacred forest, sacred ancestral graves, sacred pools, sacred caves etc.

“The same area is where we perform additional rituals, including rain-making and worshipping since time immemorial.”

The proposed dam site contains six sacred pools, 20 ancestral graves belonging to the Chivero clan, and seven graves of Mashayamombe leaders buried in caves along the banks of the Mupfure River, Headman Gumboreshumba said.

He said the area had also been earmarked for the reburial of First Chimurenga heroes, including Chief Kaguvi Gumboreshumba and Chief Chinengundu Mashayamombe, once their remains are repatriated.

According to Headman Gumboreshumba, repeated engagements with relevant authorities to protect the ancestral monuments, graves, sacred pools, and sites used for rain-making ceremonies and worship have been unsuccessful.

He argued that there is abundant land in the community that could be allocated for development projects without destroying the sacred monuments.

More: The Herald