Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sensationally claimed he gave the Chinese miners in Zimbabwe a last chance to beneficiate minerals before export or he boot them out.
He said Zimbabwe was making strides in mending relations with the West with a policy of making Zimbabwe an enemy to none but friend to all.
He made the claim while addressing a rally at Chinorumba High School in Zaka Central on Sunday (July 16) and said he had recently warned the Chinese who are mining lithium at Bikita Minerals with expulsion for failure to abide by rules.
He said the Chinese were smuggling lithium ore at night and when it was discovered he called them to state house where he gave them last warning.
“The Chinese were mining our minerals and taking them out without beneficiating them and we said no. They started smuggling them at night taking out ore without our knowledge. Our people discovered them and I called the Chinese to State House,”
“I did not give them a chance to sit, I addressed them whilst they were standing. I asked them and they admitted. I told them that it was their last warning and if they do that again I will kick them out,” said Mnangagwa.
He went on to say Zimbabwe was an enemy to none and friend to all saying the second republic was making strides in mending relations with the west.
He said he had met with Tony Blair and discussed about removing sanctions and said he was now busy talking to other people in England to address the issue.
“I met Tony Blair and I asked him if he was against me as he was with former President Mugabe and he said no. So I asked him to address the issue before he dies and he is busy addressing the issue.
A Chinese mining company recently took over Bikita Minerals and is mining Lithium.
In May this year over 3500 tons of lithium ore was intercepted in Masvingo.
17 suspects were arrested over the matter and the mining giant was forced to briefly suspend operations.
