Residents of Embakwe Village in Ward 13, Plumtree, have demanded answers from local leaders following reports of alleged mining activities and the suspected use of explosives at a homestead, raising fears over public safety and environmental risks.
Concerned villagers have written to traditional leaders seeking clarification over what they describe as illegal mining operations, saying tensions in the community have escalated and urgent intervention is needed.
In a letter seen by CITE, residents questioned how mining activities could be permitted near homes, water sources and community infrastructure.
“How did the local leadership allow for mining activities in a homestead closer to people’s homes, water sources and community infrastructure?” the letter reads.
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Villagers also demanded to know whether those involved held the necessary mining licences and whether the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) had been notified of the activities.
Ward 13 councillor Oscar Dube confirmed that there was a dispute in the village but said the situation was not as it had been portrayed by some residents.
“There is someone who claims there is gold at his family’s former homestead, so he sought permission to prospect there,” Dube told CITE.
“This person attempted the same thing about four years ago. He prospected and tried to mine, but villagers reported the matter to the headman, who punished him. Now he has returned, and that is what has caused the uproar.”
Dube did not say whether the individual had obtained the licences or approvals required for prospecting activities.
Headman Zibuyeni Ncube said local leadership had not yet met to discuss the matter and was still gathering information.
“It is not clear at the moment. We cannot fully comment because we have not yet held a meeting to discuss it,” he said.
“There is nothing being mined in our area as far as I know. What I know is that there is a homestead whose owners wanted to do something privately on their property, but I have not yet sat down with them to understand exactly what is happening.”
Ncube said he had been informed that the family believed there could be mineral deposits at the site.
“It is as if they believe there is a mineral deposit at their homestead following a dream they had and they want to pursue it. It is not something I can fully explain,” he said.
The headman added that he had not yet visited the site and was waiting to meet the local chief before conducting an inspection.
“I am only hearing about the uproar in the community and I am waiting to meet with the Chief so that we can visit the place together because I have not yet gone on site,” he said.
The developments have sparked concern among residents, who are demanding assurances that any mineral exploration is conducted legally and does not pose a risk to nearby households, water sources or community infrastructure.
Traditional leaders are expected to engage with the matter as tensions continue to simmer in the village.
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