Villagers from Bubi in Matabeleland North are up in arms with mining companies operating in the area whom they accuse of causing environmental degradation.
Bubi co-operative chairperson Airforce Hlabangana said the mining companies were also destroying roads, causing water, noise and air pollution.
Hlabangana said the companies had done little or nothing to rehabilitate the roads or invest in community development projects.
“We have engaged our Bubi Rural District council (RDC) for over a decade, but to no avail,’’ he said.
Hlabangana also complained about illegal miners causing environmental degradation, including deforestation. Bubi RDC executive Patson Mlilo said the council had been engaging the mining companies over the issue.
“Yes, we are engaging them,” Mlilo said. “They use big trucks that destroy the roads.’’
Despite the lucrative mining operations in the province, roads in Matabeleland North have largely remained poor including the Bulawayo-Nkayi road.
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