Watch: RioZim illegal operations at Cam and Motor mine a time bomb for residents

Kadoma-  STRUGGLING listed company RioZim’s illegal operations at Cam and Motor mine has compromised the safety and livelihood of residents , Express Mail Zim can reveal.

The company is  blasting within the vicinity of residents’  properties resulting in  most houses cracking with some teetering on the brink of collapse.

Express Mail Zim had a site visit last week and apart from houses, affected  properties include a  school and a clinic which serve the whole community thereby compromising access to education and health.

“We are forced out of our houses when they start their blasting and this has affected our livelihoods.

“Our children have to cut their school days and as you can see the only clinic we have is cracking .

“We have approached Mary Mliswa but she has not acted, making us suspect that one of the big Indian guys might be pampering her with gifts. “The guys are very powerful and untouchable ,” said one resident who refused to be named for fear of reprisal.

 An elderly woman who struggles to move due to old age has also been exposed to this ‘torture’.

“Ndinogara nemuzukuru wangu saka pavanotanga kuputitsa ndinototi iye abude ini handikwanise kufamba,ndingazvidi.

“Dai hurumende yapindira mwanangu. 

(I stay with my grandchild who is in primary school and when they come to move us ,I remain behind and prefer my grandchild to move, we pray for government intervention).”, lamented the old widow.

At law,  mining companies are obliged to carry out  operations at least  400 metres away from  residential areas and health delivery centres, but  RioZim violated such.

The company is  operating  70 mitres within the vicinity of the residential area resulting in the damage that this publication witnessed and documented on visuals.

Our investigations established that after the commissioning of the Biological Oxide plant two years ago by President Emmerson   Mnangagwa,  the company set aside at least US$5 million and promised to relocate these families but they  have reneged.

It has  also emerged that the organisation is neglecting to pay salaries to employees forcing them to  initiate a process of applying for the placement of RioZim Limited and all its subsidiaries under corporate rescue in terms of Section 121 as read with Section 124 & 131 of the Insolvency Act Chapter 6.07.

This has already been communicated to the chairperson Saleem Beebeejaun.

RioZim separated from Rio Tinto plc in 2004 and became a wholly owned Zimbabwean company that produces gold, coal, toll refined nickel and copper. 

The company is listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) but recently posted a 30 percent decline in gold production.

Group corporate services executive Wilson Gwatiringa refused to comment over the matter.

“I have no comment,” he said.