BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Greater Whange Residents Trust has presented a petition to the Parliament of Zimbabwe, drawing attention to the health risks associated with coal mining in Hwange.

The trust, which advocates for the welfare and interests of people in Hwange, highlights the need for urgent action to protect residents from the harmful effects of coal dust pollution.

According to the trust, the Pneumonoconiosis Act (Chapter 15:08), which was enacted to protect workers in dusty occupations, does not provide adequate protection for ordinary residents who are also affected by coal dust pollution.

The trust argues that the Act is “exclusionary” and was not designed to benefit ordinary residents, who are not eligible for regular medical checks to determine the impact of coal dust on their health.

Below is the full petition that was submitted to Parliament:

DRAW the attention of the House to the following:

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray as follows:

That the Parliament of Zimbabwe to exercises its constitutional mandate to

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A fatal accident occurred near the GVZ entertainment facility, a few kilometers outside Hwange town, on Friday last week.

A Chinese company’s tipper truck carrying workers overturned unexpectedly, resulting in the loss of several lives.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the MP for Hwange Central constituency, Daniel Molokele, “at least three people died immediately after the accident… There have been more reports claiming that the death toll has increased since the fatal accident.”

The statement further notes that “there are some rumors that claim that the death toll has now reached over ten people.” The Chinese company that owns the truck has avoided sharing any information with the public about the tragic accident.

As the Office of the MP for Hwange Central constituency, “we are still trying our best to carry out our own separate investigations,” the statement reads. “However, we are also aware that it is actually the responsibility of the government to carry out any further investigations.”

The MP is calling upon the government, especially the Ministry of Mines, to initiate a formal inquiry into the tragic accident and issue a public report as soon as possible.

“We therefore call upon the government, especially the Ministry of Mines, to initiate a formal inquiry into this tragic accident and issue a public report as soon as possible,” the statement reads.

The MP also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

“We also take this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to all the families who may have lost their beloved ones. Further, we wish all the workers who may have gotten injured a speedy recovery,” the statement concludes.

 BY BRENDA NCUBE

In the heart of Matabeleland North’s Hwange district, wildlife conservation has become a contentious issue.

While the area is renowned for its rich biodiversity and generating substantial revenue, local communities are struggling to reap the benefits.

For communal farmers like Binwell Sibanda, the presence of wild animals has become a constant threat to their livelihoods.

“We rely heavily on farming, but these animals destroy our crops and livestock every year,” Sibanda lamented.

“We expect National Parks and CAMPFIRE (Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources) to control wildlife and not let them roam freely in communal areas.”

Nicholas Tembo, another affected farmer, emphasized the need for compensation for losses incurred due to human-wildlife conflict. “We should be reimbursed for our losses if wildlife destroys our crops or kills livestock,” he said.

The communities are also demanding that park authorities take responsibility in cases of human-wildlife attacks, including paying medical bills, funeral expenses, and supporting victims’ dependents.

Furthermore, the villagers are advocating for a quota for game meat to alleviate hunger and reduce poaching. “The park rangers can cull the animals and share the meat with the community,” Tembo suggested.

However, the communities are frustrated with CAMPFIRE, feeling that the program benefits the association running it rather than the communities themselves.

They are calling for CAMPFIRE to devise programs that channel funds from hunting trophies to benefit the communities, such as rural electrification and drilling boreholes.

The villagers are also seeking a more nuanced approach to addressing poaching, considering the motivations behind it. “If someone is caught poaching or snaring, the law should consider what they plan to do with the animal,” Tembo said.

As the debate surrounding the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill (H.B.1, 2024) continues, communities are keep on voicing concerns over compensation for victims of wildlife attacks and seeking clarity on how the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority plans to handle these compensations.

They are also demanding sovereignty over wildlife management, advocating for local authorities to take the lead.

Amidst the thriving tourism activities in the area, it is ironic that communities bordering national parks live in poverty. As Tembo emphasized, “It’s time for us to benefit from wildlife conservation and tourism.”