Trymore Tagwirei

Communities in Ward 12 of Buhera District have petitioned Parliament, accusing Sabi Star Mine of exposing them to hazardous pollution, destroying livelihoods, and violating constitutional rights through its lithium mining operations.

The petition, submitted by the Buhera Residents Network Trust on behalf of families relocated from Bhidhiri and Murambinda, invokes Section 149 of the Constitution, which grants citizens the right to petition Parliament on matters of national concern.

Residents say the mine has become a source of growing alarm due to its environmental, social, and economic impacts on surrounding communities.

“Heavy mining trucks passing through the area are generating excessive dust, leading to rising respiratory illnesses.

“The traffic from loaded trucks on the untarred, bumpy road creates persistent dust clouds that compromise air quality.

“We also experience a strong, sewage-like odour every day between 0500hrs and 0700hrs.

The mine’s tailings dam is leaking harmful chemicals into local streams that supply water to people, livestock, and wildlife,” reads part of the petition.

Residents further allege that mining activities have created fear and uncertainty, as officials continue pegging land and conducting unexplained field operations without consulting the community.

The petition notes that anxiety over possible forced relocations has forced families to abandon development of their homesteads.

The community also accuses the mine of destroying traditional livelihoods without compensation. They cite the loss of ancestral farmland, livestock, grazing land, forests, and the emotional trauma caused by the relocation of deceased relatives.

Villagers say they are facing a worsening water crisis, with some walking up to 3kilometers and waiting as long as five hours to fill a single bucket at the only functional bush pump. Many now resort to the unprotected Save River, about 6 kilometres away.

Some households in Bhidhiri claim their boreholes have been contaminated by chemicals, including suspected cyanide.

The petition argues that this situation constitutes a direct breach of the constitutional right to clean, safe, and potable water.

Residents also accuse the mine of breaking promises to employ qualified locals, describing its commitments as “mere rhetoric and greenwashing.”

Instead, they say, locals are offered short-term contracts lasting between two weeks and a month, despite losing their land and livelihoods.

In their appeal, the petitioners urge Parliament to intervene urgently.

They are calling for a full investigation into the health, environmental, social, and economic effects of Sabi Star Mine, provision of clean water and repair of collapsed boreholes, compensation for all affected families, establishment of a Community Share Ownership Trust, prioritisation of local employment, and tarring of the dusty road leading to the mine to reduce pollution.

Sabi Star Mine Public Relations Officer Emerson Munjanja Mangezi did not respond to questions sent to him regarding the petition.