Provincial affiliates back Rushwaya

PROVINCIAL affiliates of the Zimbabwe Miners Forum (ZMF) have endorsed their current president Ms Henrietta Rushwaya as the sole leader of the organisation.

This comes amid succession battles in the organisation with some affiliates saying Ms Rushwaya was no longer fit to lead ZMF.

However, following a meeting held in Harare in November last year, provincial affiliates of ZMF unanimously endorsed Ms Rushwaya as the president.

ZMF secretary-general Mr Morgan Mugawu, in a memo dated December 1, 2023 addressed to all provincial chairpersons, said Ms Rushwaya was recommended as the president of the organisation despite the fights within it.

“At a meeting held in Harare on the 24th of November 2023, the Midlands Province led by chairman Mr Makumba Nyenje, moved a motion to support the presidency of Madam Henrietta Rushwaya and this was supported by Ms Christine Munyoro from Mashonaland Central,” he said.

“The youth and women represented by Mr Darlington Ndlovu and Mrs J Mazivazvose respectively and other six provinces unanimously supported the motion. Having received such recommendations, the national executive hereby fully endorses the presidency of Madam Henrietta Rushwaya as ZMF president.”

ZMF is the brainchild of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and its mandate is to represent and contribute to the development and growth of smallscale miners.

Established in 2003, the ZMF seeks to bring ASM into the mainstream economy through lobbying and support of ASM operations.

Part of the ZMF objectives is lobbying for the formalisation and regularisation of artisanal miners and small-scale miners.

ZMF ensures that legislation in the country is conducive for ASM mining operations and at the same time developing a good rapport with the government.

The organisation has links on a dayto-day basis, with its partners who are stakeholders which include but not limited to Government, investors, mining service providers, suppliers and tertiary training institutions who complete the mineral value chain.

It has a total of 60 affiliate associations at the district and provincial levels and the total number of miners being represented is currently at 1 500 000.