HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ordered a Chinese company to stop evicting thousands of families in Domboshava, 27km north of Harare, where the company is digging for quarry, a minister said on Monday.

“President Mnangagwa has come to the rescue of Domboshava villagers who were facing eviction by a Chinese quarry mining firm Aihua Jianye. The President has ordered that the firm stops mining activities in the area known for its rock art and as a tourist attraction,” Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi and MP for the area tweeted.

The Chinese company, which reportedly wants to invest US$500 million on the project, has moved in its equipment after taking over a mountain in the area which is dotted by several granite hills, close to Mverechena business centre.

“Granting of mining rights is the prerogative of the mines ministry and it’s unfortunate that MPs are not consulted prior to the granting of the rights,” Mutodi said told the Standard on Sunday.

“Once granted, the rights can be set aside by a court of law unless an amicable solution is reached between the company and the other aggrieved parties — in this case the Domboshava residents residing within a 5km radius from the mining site.”

The villagers fear that they might be evicted without any compensation and have vowed to resist the move.

“Where will we go? Where will we get the money to build new structures? What will happen to our children, especially those who will sit for exams this year?” said Tobias Arifadika from Mverechena.

Mutodi said up to 20,000 villagers are affected, although that figure could not be independently verified.