Pumula residents have told aspiring council candidates that whoever is elected into office should prioritise environmental concerns that have arisen following the establishment of a quarry mine in the suburb.
A Chinese firm, Haulin Investments (Pvt) Limited, was given a ten-year contract to mine quarry in the suburb in 2021.
Residents have been complaining that the heavy-duty vehicles that transport quarry from the mine have damaged the roads in the area.
They also raised concerns that the mining activities were causing a health hazard due to explosions and noise pollution emanating from their activities.
Speaking at an Election Debate Series convened by CITE, BPRA and Habakkuk Trust, the residents implored the incoming councillor to prioritise environmental issues.
“We want these Chinese people gone. Look at what they are doing to our houses. I have been a resident here in Pumula all my life. I have nine children, eight of which I gave birth to while at my lodgings with my husband. It is only the last one that I had when my husband bought us that house. Now he is late, if I lose that house to those blastings who will compensate me?” a resident noted.
Another resident said the chinese company was approved by the government hence whoever gets into power should approach the relevant ministry to address their concerns.
“We know that for this company to operate here it was approved by the government. Whoever we vote for must remember our plight when they get into office. They need to take our concerns to those who enabled the approval of this company and tell them the challenges we are experiencing. We cannot continue like this,” the resident said.
A resident from Robert Sinyoka complained that their houses were collapsing because of sand poachers and their livestock were perishing in uncovered pits left by the poachers.
“We are losing a lot of our livestock. The sand poachers are just coming and going as they please. Some dig beneath our houses. As we speak some houses have collapsed. We want a councillor who will help us to address these issues as a community,” the resident said.
The aspiring candidates, who were presenting their manifestos, promised to do their best to push for the closure of the mine.
“I will make sure that the Chinese leave our community. They are causing more harm than good. I have the power to ensure that all this can be achieved,” said Nkosilathi Moyo, Zanu-PF candidate.
Ntombizodwa Moyo said if she gets into office, she will knock at the relevant council offices to ensure that the matter eventually gets to the responsible government offices to address the matter.
Sitting councillor who is seeking re-election, Sikhululekile Moyo, explained that calling for the closure of the mine would take time as there are numerous processes to be followed.
“Your concerns are genuinely noted but the challenge is all these things have certain procedures to be followed. We need to acknowledge that this was initiated by councillors who came before us. Whoever will get into office now will have to go through a similar process to have this halted. But we shall do our best to have the matter addressed.
