BOTEREKWA DESTROYED BY MINING: A STORY OF GREED AND LOSS

The Boterekwa escarpment in Shurugwi, once a place of great beauty, is now a sad sight. This is because of the mining activities led by Collins Mnangagwa, the son of Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Collins, also known as Takunda, is the chairperson of Chengxi Mining (Pvt) Ltd, a company that has been digging for gold in the area. Over time, the mining has changed the land in a very bad way.

For three years, The NewsHawks has been reporting about the damage happening in Boterekwa. The mining has turned the beautiful landscape, known as Wolfshall Pass, into a wasteland. The hills, valleys, and streams that once made the area special have been destroyed by the mining. Open-pit mines and deep trenches now cover the land. The green plants are gone, and the soil is left bare. The air smells of chemicals like cyanide, and the noise from the mining machines never stops. What used to be a quiet, peaceful place is now full of pollution and destruction.

The damage is not only to the land but also to the water. The streams that used to be clean and clear during the rainy season are now dirty and filled with harmful chemicals. This has made the water unsafe for people and animals.

Collins Mnangagwa has become very rich from these mining activities. His life is now very different from before his father became president in 2017. He lives in a big mansion in Harare and travels to China often for business. While he enjoys a life of luxury, the people of Shurugwi and Zimbabwe suffer from the effects of his mining. The land has been ruined, and the local community has to deal with the environmental mess left behind.

Illegal gold panning has also made the situation worse. Local people are trying to dig for gold themselves, but this only adds to the chaos. The mining has caused many problems, and people in Zimbabwe are angry. Some have even accused President Mnangagwa of knowing about the damage but doing nothing to stop it, as he often drives through the area.

The controversy is not just about the environment. It is also about politics. Zanu PF, the ruling political party, has been linked to Chengxi Mining. The company has given gifts to local chiefs and other people in power, making it hard for anyone to speak out against the mining. Some leaders, like Owen “Mudha” Ncube, a Midlands minister, have publicly supported Collins. This shows how political and business interests are connected in this situation.

Even though the mining is clearly damaging the environment, it continues without much control. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) allowed shaft mining, but Chengxi Mining has expanded into open-pit mining, which was not approved. This has caused even more harm to the land and water. The rules meant to protect the environment are being ignored, and the damage may be impossible to fix.

The story of Boterekwa is similar to what is happening in other parts of Zimbabwe. Natural resources are being taken without care for the people or the environment. Many people are calling for the government to step in and stop this. Chief Nhema, a local leader, is one of those who want stricter rules for mining. But because the people involved in the mining are so powerful, it is hard to imagine that real change will happen anytime soon.

As Collins Mnangagwa continues to make money, Boterekwa is left in ruins. The place that was once a symbol of beauty and nature is now a sad reminder of what happens when greed and neglect take over. The future of Boterekwa is uncertain. Will it continue to be destroyed, or will someone step in to save it? Only time will tell, but for now, it seems that the land’s resources are seen as nothing more than a way for a few people to get rich, no matter the cost.