By Brighton Chiseva
RENCO – Tensions between Renco Mine and illegal gold panners have taken a new twist after the mining company allegedly disturbed a family grave while excavating an area believed to be rich in gold near the Atlas shaft, following a violent confrontation in which one panner was shot and injured.
The gold rush on Chebundi and Mavhugwi mountains located within Renco Mine’s claim has drawn hundreds of locals and outsiders panning for gold. In response, the mine deployed security officers to chase away the panners.
Shortly after, the mine began excavations near the Atlas shaft in an area suspected to hold significant gold deposits. During the earthmoving operations, the Mbiri family has come forward claiming that one of their ancestral graves was violated.
Newly appointed Chief Nyajena, Last Dzivakwe, confirmed that he had received a report on the matter.
“We have received the report, and efforts are underway to establish whether that is indeed the case. We are engaging with the mine and the family,” said Chief Nyajena.
He said the person with the full details was Headman Muchibwa. Contacted for comment, Headman Muchibwa said engagements between the family and local leadership were ongoing, but referred further questions to the family.
When approached for comment, Renco Mine General Manager Tapiwa Katiyo neither confirmed nor denied the grave violation. He referred questions to Corporate Affairs Manager Wilson Gwatiringa. Gwatiringa declined to comment, simply saying, ‘No comment.’
Efforts to get a comment from Ruchicha Village head were futile as his cell was not reachable and efforts to get a comment from the family members also failed as they all directed questions to the traditional leadership.
However, another mine official who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the mine had been informed of the alleged grave violation.
“We were told that we had disturbed one grave, but we are not sure if that is true. If it were true, we would have discovered the bones. We have since halted operations in that area and are waiting for the outcome of engagements between the family and local leadership,” the official said.
Sources close to the family told TellZim News that the eldest family member claimed that he was shown the grave around 1984.
However, the family does not know exactly when the burial took place or the age of the deceased. They only know that the person buried there was known as Mbuya Mbiri.
Other sources recalled that a long time ago, the mine had asked the community for permission to install a ventilation pipe near the area.
At that time, the mine advised that people should not stay there because of harmful gases, but they could still till the land but they had not been farming on the area for a very long time.
The gold rush has brought both hope and chaos to the area. Locals have tried their luck on the mountain. But with the mine now asserting its claim through force, and the grave violation allegations, the situation remains volatile.
Locals are now calling for the mine to allow them to organize themselves and mine on the surface since the mining activities are mainly underground. Others say the grave violation claim was meant to push the mine to accept the demands of the locals.
