Mberengwa Leaders Demand Local Language Version of Mines Bill Before Hearings
MBERENGWA – Community leaders in Mberengwa have urged Parliament to translate the Mines and Minerals Bill into local languages to ensure inclusive participation in upcoming public hearings.
The call was made during a district dialogue on environmental impact assessments held this week, where leaders emphasized that language barriers could prevent meaningful contributions from mining-affected populations.
The Bill, gazetted in June 2025 under General Notice 1243A by Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda, seeks to replace the outdated Mines and Minerals Act of 1961.
After years of delays since its initial drafting in 2015, the legislation is now viewed as a critical step toward reforming Zimbabwe’s mining sector and closing loopholes that have long benefited mining companies at the expense of local communities.
Speaking at the Silveira House-organised dialogue, Ward 10 Councillor Devilious Mashavakure urged Parliament to make the Bill accessible to all citizens.
“Parliament must strive to overcome the language barriers in communities hardest hit by mining activities. The English jargon used in law is often confusing, hence the urgent need to roll it out in local languages,” he said.
Mashavakure also praised community-based publications for raising awareness but stressed the need for broader outreach.
He warned that delays in finalizing the Bill could worsen environmental degradation.
“Stakeholders and Parliament must work expeditiously to stop the current rampant environmental damage before it goes offhand,” he added.
Ward 16 Councillor Lovemore Nkomo welcomed the Bill’s provisions, saying they offer hope for resolving long-standing issues in the mining sector.
“The neo-colonial agenda contained in the 1961 Mines and Minerals Act could be a thing of the past once the Bill sails through,” he said.
Nkomo emphasized that the document must be circulated in local languages well ahead of the hearings to allow communities to prepare informed submissions.
Environmental Sub-Committee member Alder Makotore urged lawmakers to include gender-specific protections in the Bill.
She highlighted the need to address issues such as destruction of water sources and sexual harassment, which she said are not adequately covered.
“Mechanisms that guarantee women’s participation during the forthcoming public hearings must be put in place,” she said.
According to Ignite Media Zimbabwe, Silveira House project manager Zandile Mvududu said the Bill presents a rare opportunity to resolve legacy issues in the mining sector.
She noted that the Portfolio Committee on Mines should be prepared to receive extensive feedback from affected communities.
“With the Environmental Social Governance (ESG) focus in most mining communities, we feel that the Bill has gained so much momentum,” she said.
As Parliament prepares to launch public consultations, community leaders say that unless the Bill is made accessible in local languages, many residents will be excluded from shaping legislation that directly affects their livelihoods and environment.
