Mining executives suspended
MANICALAND Miners Association (MMA) has dissolved its provincial executive leadership over a litany of allegations that also includes underhand dealings in the selling of gold.
The association, which is an affiliate member of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, said they have decided to dissolve the executive as a way of curbing some corrupt activities that were suspected to be happening within the organisation.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation representative in Manicaland Mr Lufeyi Shato said they will hold elections next month to select new executive members.
The Manicaland Miners Association was being chaired by Mr Lovemore Kasha with Mr Tawanda Manyangadza being the secretary general.
“We will be holding a meeting on November 30 at Odzi Country Club where we will meet with our district executive members from Penhalonga, Mutare, Odzi, Rusape, Headlands, Nyanga, Buhera and Chimanimani,” said Mr Shato.
“There are a number of issues that were raised against the executive warrant them to leave office. There is need for transparent among office bearers within the organisation and once grey spots starts showing off, actions would be taken. This one step which we took to make sure there is accountability and transparency,” he said.
Mr Shato said they were now planning for the elections which he said if everything goes according to plan will be held on December 15, 2018.
“During the November 30 meeting, the out-going MMA executive members are expected to officially surrender their offices and pave way for elections. Those who feel can qualify to occupy the vacant positions would be allowed to start campaigning as per our constitution. We are planning to hold the elections on December 15 if everything goes on well,” he said.
Mr Shato said the district executive members will constitutes the electoral college.
“ZMF members Mr Wellington Takavarasha, secretary Mr Maguwu, Mr John Chiwanza and myself will preside over the elections. All other process will be guided by section 5.5 to 6.5 of our constitution,” he said.
The move to dissolve the MMA executive came following Government’s threats to descent of on some large scale gold mining companies that are reportedly under-declaring their output.
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Mr Polite Kambamura said:
“We have noted with concern that there are some large-scale operators who have been under declaring their production through the small-scale miners. Very soon we will come hard on such. On gold, we still feel there is a lot to be done, there are not under-declarations by large scale miner, but there is unaccountability of gold from hammer mills around the country,” he said.