BIKITA – Students from the Environmental and Mining Law Unit recently visited Chief Marozva in Bikita for a two-day community engagement and legal awareness programme aimed at educating residents about environmental protection and mining laws.
The programme, held from March 11-12, was organised by the Environmental and Mining Law Unit in partnership with the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Organisation (ZELO).
The initiative aimed to empower local communities with legal information that can help them understand and respond to environmental challenges linked to mining activities.
The delegation included ten law students, led by Executive Dean Mr Maphosa, together with law school librarian Mr Mafuta and environmental law lecturers Miss Masiya and Mrs Ndlovu.
The team met with Chief Marozva and his headmen to discuss environmental concerns affecting the community, including water pollution and land degradation caused by mining.
During the engagement, the students and lecturers held legal awareness sessions to help residents understand their rights and responsibilities under environmental and mining laws.
Community members were encouraged to report environmental damage and to make use of legal support structures available to them.
The Environmental and Mining Law Unit also explained its role in providing legal education and assisting communities to better understand environmental justice.
On the second day, the delegation attended a guest lecture hosted by the law school legal aid clinics at Great Zimbabwe University.
The lecture brought together legal and environmental experts to discuss environmental law, mining regulation, human rights and access to free legal aid.
The session featured Mr Mtisi, Deputy Director of ZELO, as well as representatives from the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
Speakers highlighted the importance of protecting natural resources while ensuring that communities benefit from legal knowledge and support.
Organisers said programmes like this help strengthen the relationship between universities and communities while promoting environmental justice in mining areas.
They recommended more awareness campaigns and continued collaboration to support sustainable development.
