By Flata Kavinga
Redcliff-based social justice advocate Tendai Ruben Mbofana has raised alarm over alleged environmental destruction caused by Chinese mining operations near Cactus Port Dam in Redcliff, warning that the activities pose a serious threat to human life and the ecosystem along the Kwekwe River.
In an interview, Mbofana described the mining operations as “appalling” and accused the authorities of failing to act despite visible evidence of large-scale environmental degradation.
“The only word that I can think of right now to describe these Chinese mining activities in Redcliff is that it’s appalling. It’s absolutely appalling. It’s reprehensible,” he said. “We cannot surely call ourselves an independent, sovereign, self-governing state when we allow foreigners to come into our country and do pretty much what they want.”
Mbofana said the mining activities were not only leading to the looting of minerals but also leaving behind poisoned water sources and destroyed landscapes.
“Look at this dam, Cactus Port Dam. This is a very important dam for Redcliff. The river itself, Kwekwe, is vital for agriculture, for flora and fauna in aquatic life, but that is all under threat by these Chinese activities,” he said. “We are going to be left behind with unusable land and mountains that have been mutilated and are unsightly.”
The activist questioned the silence of both local and central government authorities, saying the mining activities were taking place openly and should have attracted regulatory intervention.
“Where are those that are supposed to be in authority? Where is the local authority? Where is the central government? Why are these activities not being stopped?” Mbofana asked. “These things are not happening in secret. You can see mining activities from miles away. You can hear the blasting and the blowing up of these mountains.”
He also suggested that corruption could be enabling the continued operations.
“Are they being bribed? Are they also part and parcel of these activities? Do they have shares? Because I fail to understand how in a country someone can be allowed to come in and cause such grand-scale destruction and be left to continue with impunity,” Mbofana said.
Efforts to get a comment from Redcliff Municipality and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) on the allegations were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
Environmental activists have repeatedly warned that unregulated mining activities across Zimbabwe are posing long-term risks to water sources, land quality, and public health.
