Kwekwe Central legislator, Judith Tobaiwa has acccused mining companies operating in the country of violating local environmental and labor laws while reaping massive profits at the expense of communities.
Speaking during a recent parliamentary session, Tobaiwa called on the government to hold foreign investors accountable citing rampant environmental degradation and disregard for labor protections in mining hotspots such as Kwekwe, Makaha, and Shurugwi.
“There is a mantra that Zimbabwe is open for business from investors across the globe. Open for business does not mean that the investors should not follow our domestic law,” Tobaiwa said
She warned that some foreign nationals and companies were operating with impunity leaving behind devastated landscapes and marginalised local workers.
“They are heavily destroying both the flora and fauna of our communities,” she said.
Tobaiwa singled out Zimasco, a major ferrochrome producer recently acquired by a Chinese company alleging that skilled Zimbabwean workers were retrenched and replaced by unqualified Chinese laborers—raising questions about adherence to national employment laws.
In an appeal, she demanded a ministerial statement from the Minister of Mines and Mining Development to clarify the government’s stance on sustainable mining and to outline steps being taken to mitigate the “massive environmental damage” occurring across the country.
“Secondly, we need to know why these foreign companies are not abiding by the laws such as labor laws.
“Number three, we want a cost-benefit analysis done by the ministry in respect to these mining entities that are destroying our environment and communities.” she added
Tobaiwa said the issue was of urgent national interest and should not be relegated to the typical Wednesday question-and-answer format.
“This matter requires detailed research… it is a matter of public interest,” she said.
The Ministry of Mines has yet to respond to Tobaiwa’s demands.
