Zimbabwe Alloys Limited (ZimAlloys), a subsidiary of Kuvimba Mining House (KMH), recently held a community engagement meeting with villagers from Insiza and Mberengwa districts at Mapeume Secondary School.
The meeting was part of the company’s efforts to consult local communities and understand their needs before beginning mining operations.
During the meeting, Mapeume Secondary School vice-chairperson Alexander Maphosa appealed to ZimAlloys to assist in constructing additional classrooms at the school and a clinic. He said:
This classroom shows our struggles. Parents have tried to build more classrooms, but we don’t have what we need. Different classes share a classroom, which is not ideal. Plus, if someone gets sick, the nearest clinic is 11 kilometres away.
The school, which sits on the border between Matabeleland South and Midlands, has just two classroom blocks. It also doesn’t have a perimeter fence or proper grounds.
Villagers said they need more than just schools and clinics — dip tanks, dams, and bridges are also a priority.
Chief Chizungu backed the community’s concerns, saying it was about time mining companies started showing respect for traditional leaders. He said:
We appreciate this meeting. But the promises can’t stop here. You need to fix the land and share the development fairly — our community falls under three chiefs and everyone should benefit.
The mining claim where ZimAlloys plans to operate is in Insiza and stretches into Mberengwa, right along the Matabeleland South–Midlands border.
After the villagers had spoken, Dalindyebo Miso-Mbele, ZimAlloys’ metallurgical lead, got up to respond. He said:
We are here to listen first. Kuvimba Mining House supports responsible mining. We will create over 30 local jobs. We aim to build, not just take. And we will make sure the land is restored.
More: Southern Eye
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