ED Spokesman Allegedly Threatens Buhera Villagers For Complaining About Air Pollution

The Buhera Residents Network Trust (BRNT) has accused Presidential spokesperson George Charamba of threatening its members after they petitioned Parliament over alleged environmental and public health impacts linked to the operations of Sabi Star Lithium Mine in Buhera.

While BRNT did not specify the nature of the alleged threats, organisations under the Civic Society Organisations (CSO) umbrella said in a statement that intimidating citizens for submitting evidence to Parliament undermines Zimbabwe’s constitutional order and weakens Parliament’s oversight role by discouraging communities from reporting environmental, labour and governance concerns.

In its petition, BRNT alleges that villagers have experienced increased cases of chest and stomach ailments, while livestock, including cattle and goats, have died as a result of dust generated by more than 100 heavy trucks that travel daily along unpaved roads through local communities.

Speaking to Chipinge Times, Charamba dismissed the petition as “foolish”. He said residents should work with Sabi Star Lithium Mine to ensure they benefit from the investment rather than oppose its operations.

According to BRNT, Charamba also expressed anger over the petition and described the villagers’ grievances as “stupid”.

He reportedly said it was embarrassing for him, as a senior official in the President’s Office, to learn that people from his home area had taken such complaints to Parliament.

BRNT further alleges that Charamba said the petition could strain his relationship with President Emmerson Mnangagwa because it might create the impression that he had encouraged or supported the complaints.

Instead, Charamba said villagers should foster a cordial relationship with Sabi Star Lithium Mine and seek to benefit from the investment, according to the Trust.

“I am in the President’s office, and I meet an association that claims to be representing me over a stupid matter; how do you think my principal is going to relate to me?” said Charamba.

“That I sent people to say stupid things like that? There is an issue of misrepresentation.

“They are not representing Buhera. I feel very angry to be represented by people who purport to stand for me.”

The petition has since prompted the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee to hold two public hearings with villagers in Buhera on Sunday.

The meetings were held at St Albans Primary School and Murambinda Growth Point, where residents were given an opportunity to present their concerns.

Civil society organisations (CSOs), including the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), Zimbabwe Diamond Workers Union (ZIDWU), Centre for Peace Research and Development in Africa (CPRDA) and Zivai Community Empowerment Trust, have criticised Charamba over the alleged threats.

The organisations accused Charamba of attempting to intimidate BRNT for raising concerns they said were legitimate issues affecting local communities.

Zivai Community Empowerment Trust said BRNT representatives were allegedly threatened after appearing before the parliamentary committee to present evidence on behalf of affected villagers. The organisations called for an investigation into the alleged threats.

More: Masvingo Mirror