| Yeukai Munetsi
Gweru– Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Environmental Law (ZELA) and Zimbabwe Council of Churches will convene the 11th edition of the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI). The engagement is centred on promoting engagement between communities industries and government from mineral resource rich communities. According to a ZIMCODD weekender report, The ZAMI is a multi-stakeholder platform created to facilitate engagements between mining host communities, government and industry. ZAMI is a build up from the Village level Alternative Mining Indaba (VAMIs) or Local-Level Alternative Mining Indabas (LAMIs), Ward Alternative Mining Indabas, District Alternative Mining Indabas, Provincial Alternative Mining Indabas which are convened across the mineral resource-rich areas in Zimbabwe such as Marange, Mutoko, Hwange, Zvishavane and Gwanda wrappes up by the Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI),a regional global platform which is held annually. The AMI will run from September 4-9 2022 under the theme “A Just Energy Transition for Sustainable Communities in a Climate crisis era” and follows the global movement on climate change and a just energy transition. One of the topical issues to be discussed will be the illicit financial flows. “Some of the discussions to be tabled at this year’s ZAMI will include the scourge of illicit financial flows which has for a long time caused the country to lose billions. “A recent report by the Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) revealed that Zimbabwe loses at least three tonnes of gold worth US$ 157 million every month through illicit financial flows “Titled ‘Zimbabwe’s Disappearing Gold: The case of Mazowe and Penhalonga,’ the report claims that Zimbabwe loses three tonnes of gold monthly via politicians who are connected to the ruling party, government officials and their close business allies,” read the report. On the side lines ZIMCODD will be hosting side-sessions which participants can look forward to, such as Women’s Pre-National Budget Caucus: Towards a climate smart, gender-responsive budget, Policy Dialogue on Taxation and the launching of Research products. |
