Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has petitioned the government calling for an urgent investigation and remedial action in response to mining-related rights abuses in Magunje, Hurungwe, in Mashonaland West province.
The letter, dated July 16, 2025, was addressed to Mines and Mining Development secretary Pfungwa Kunaka, Environmental Management Agency (Ema) and Parliament of Zimbabwe.
Parliament confirmed receiving the petition.
“We, the Centre for Natural Resource Governance [CNRG], acting on behalf of affected community members in Chasara, Kapere and Kemapondo villages, hereby submit this letter of demand to your office regarding gross violations of community and labour rights linked to the operations of Labenmon Investment (Pvt) Ltd, a Chinese-owned entity currently engaged in cement manufacturing and mining activities in Magunje, Hurungwe district,” the letter read.
In the letter, CNRG said evidence gathered included testimonies from affected persons.
“Evidence gathered, site visits and environment scanning includes direct testimonies from affected persons, an environmental scan and verified documentation illustrating systemic abuse and impunity,” it said.
The Farai Maguwu-led organisation said there were key issues requiring ministerial intervention.
“The consultation process relied upon to justify operations was neither inclusive nor procedurally valid. A ward-level meeting convened on 25 May 2024 was prematurely terminated by the district development co-ordinator, yet its attendance register is now being used to claim community approval,” the CNRG said.
“The directly affected villages of Chasara and Kapere were excluded from official consultations, violating both constitutional and environmental legal requirements.
“Households have been displaced without compensation, while ancestral graves and communal farmland have been bulldozed. Community gardens, a source of livelihood, were razed by fire in the company’s clearing exercise.”
CNRG said the villagers deserved fair compensation and if they chose to remain on their ancestral land, their rights should be respected.
It called on the government to conduct a formal inquiry into allegations of unlawful land acquisition, fraudulent stakeholder consultation process, and non-compliance by the investor.
Part of the letter also said the government should publicly disclose all licences, environmental impact assessment reports and correspondence authorising Labenmon Investments activities in Magunje and enforce statutory compliance by ensuring fair and transparent compensation for displaced communities and protection of cultural heritage.
“We respectfully ask that your office treat this issue with the urgency and seriousness it deserves. Development must be balanced with protecting community rights, dignity and sovereignty,” the pressure group said.
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