By Tadiwa Jery
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in Zimbabwe, has been receiving backlash from communal leaders following the increase in farmer-miner conflict cases, some of these leaders are from Shurugwi.
Farmers in Shurugwi have logged numerous complaints to their communal leaders pertaining to the issue of artisanal miners challenging claims to their farms.
In a legal case posted on the Zimbabwe Legal Information Institute website, a farmer from Shurugwi claimed that a gang of armed miners chased him after claiming that his farm was within their mine. The report of the case pointed out that there were a number of errors and inaccuracies when the land was given to the farmer during the land reform period.
This case is one of the many cases that communal leaders are being left to deal with alone following the lack of due diligence by representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Mining development.
Another matter that communal leaders are being forced to tend to in the farmer-miner conflict is the case of environment degradation being caused by artisanal farmers. In Bulawayo, a farmer had to sell two of his cattle at a loss after they fell in a pit and broke their legs after artisanal miners left it uncovered.
Zimbabwe’s Mines and Minerals Act state that miners are supposed to cover any pits they dig. If they don’t, they could face a fine and up to a year in prison. However, some miners ignore the law and leave farmers to suffer the consequences.
The farmer-miner conflict needs to be addressed by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and relevant authorities. This will protect the community’s peace and also preserve the environment for the benefit of other farmers.
