By Christopher Makaza

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come to the rescue of Domboshava villagers who were facing eviction by a Chinese quarry mining firm, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi has said.

On his Twitter page, Mutodi said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had finally came to the rescue of nearly 20 000 people from Domboshava, Mkwesha, Njedza, Chironde, Zimbira and surrounding areas who were facing eviction from a Chinese  quarry miner Aihua Jianye which reportedly intends to invest over US$500 million in the mining project.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come to the rescue of Domboshava villagers who were facing eviction by a Chinese quarry mining firm Aihua Jianye. The President has ordered that the firm stops mining activities in the area known for its rock art and as a tourist attraction,” said Deputy Minister Mutodi.

He had previously tweeted that a meeting was held on 27 April at Zimbiru Primary School  with Domboshava residents  revealing that MDC Councillor, Tapiwa Murima and a corrupt District Administrator,  Prisca Dube were behind the sale of Garimo hill to Chinese quarry miners where they were paid US $600k, four cattle and goats. The MP and villagers were not consulted.

Deputy Minister Mutodi, who is also the House of Assembly Member for the area, put the number of affected people at 20 000 adding that the figure could not be independently verified. He said granting of mining rights was the prerogative of the Mines ministry and it`s unfortunate that House of Assembly members are not consulted prior to the granting of the rights.