A Chinese-owned mining company operating in Makaha, Mutoko, has lodged a formal complaint with authorities, accusing a “politically connected” local businessman, Emmanuel Ndemera, of carrying out illegal mining activities that have allegedly contaminated a community river with cyanide.
Zhangveng Syndicate claims that Ndemera is conducting unlawful gold processing operations at Koo Doo 83, located along the banks of the Manyuchi River, thereby endangering the health and safety of nearby communities.
The company is demanding his arrest and a full investigation into his activities.
The complaint comes barely a day after the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe advised its nationals involved in local investments to seek assistance from authorities and obtain legal counsel when faced with disputes.
In a letter addressed to the Environmental Management AgencyDirector-General—and copied to the Minister of Mines, the Police Commissioner-General, and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission—Zhangveng Syndicate, through its lawyer Admire Rubaya, said all local attempts to resolve the issue had failed due to political interference.
According to the syndicate, Ndemera is operating a carbon-in-pulp plant on the riverbanks, a process that poses a serious risk of toxic chemical contamination to the Manyuchi River. The river is a vital water source for local residents, and its pollution could threaten human health and damage the surrounding ecosystem.
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The company further questioned whether Ndemera’s operations were legally authorised, urging EMA to verify his compliance with mining regulations. They argued that his activities breach environmental laws that prohibit alluvial gold mining and the processing of alluvial ore along riverbanks.
The letter also accuses Ndemera of leveraging his alleged political influence to intimidate local authorities and law enforcement officers.
“Ndemera routinely boasts of his powerful political connections, which he explicitly uses to intimidate our client and manipulate officials from the Mashonaland East Ministry of Mines and the local police,” the letter states.
“Criminal complaints filed at Makosa and Mutoko police stations were dismissed, with our client being told that Ndemera is ‘too hot to handle’ due to his political links.”
Zhangveng Syndicate urged EMA to take immediate action and work with the police to stop the alleged illegal operations.
“Our client’s employees rely on the same downstream water source now being polluted,” the letter continues.
“If Ndemera is operating illegally, as we strongly believe, we urge you to act decisively to halt these activities and engage the Zimbabwe Republic Police to ensure enforcement and prosecution.”
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