Chief Marozva

Rutendo Chirume

Chief Marozva of Bikita has said that part of the US$32 000 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding promised by Bikita Minerals will be used to build a community library the chief’s court.

In his presentation to members of the Mines and Minerals Development Parliamentary Portfolio Committee who visited the mine on 30 September, 2024 Bikita Minerals spokesperson Collen Nikisi said the mine would provide US$32 000 for community development. He said the funding would be provided through Chief Marozva, whose real name Ishmael Mudhe.

In a recent interview with EnviroPress, Chief Marozva said he expected to receive the money for the first time before the end of the year.

“The part of money will go towards building a community library equipped with internet. The other part will be directed towards building the chief’s court. So far, we have only got US$1000 which was released last year after we requested funding to cover the medical bills of an infant who needed emergency surgery,” said Chief Marozva.

“I have already set an appointment with mine authorities. We should plan together so that we can start rolling out the project as soon as the funding is disbursed,” he said.

He said an agreement had been reached for the company to allocate the community a lorry of lithium which would then be sold to raise the amount on a yearly basis.

Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association (BIRRA) Secretary General Brilliant Mukaro welcomed the arrangement, adding that the funding could prioritise community education and health.

“We appreciate this CSR gesture by Bikita Minerals, and we respect the chief’s efforts to derive greater lithium value on behalf of his people. We however feel that there is room for improvement; more funding should be provided to invest in education and health. This is not too much a request because more lithium than ever before is being extracted from the community,” said Mukaro.

He said the first disbursement would better be directed to clinics and schools as they constituted more pressing priorities.

 Bikita Business Association (BBA) Chairperson Charles Musimiki said his organisation had not yet been appraised on how the money would be used.

“I am aware that the chief is supposed to receive some money for Corporate Social Responsibility but I was not aware what he intended to do with it. I will find out so that we can see how best we can add our voice,” said Musimiki.
This project was made possible through a partnership with the Southern Africa Trust. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent that of the Trust or its associates. www.southernafricatrust.org