Strengthening Community-Led Governance: Advancing Grievance Redress in Mutoko

The Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) is deepening its engagement with mining-affected communities in Mutoko, Zimbabwe, ensuring that local voices remain central to the governance and accountability of the extractive sector. Recently, SARW convened a Grievance Redress Mechanism planning workshop with the Mutoko community, where members mobilized to form a committee dedicated to addressing governance challenges in natural resource management. Their commitment to transparency, accountability, and participatory governance highlights the power of grassroots action.

Key Issues Addressed in the Workshop:

• Budget analysis & transparency in resource governance
• Strengthening community participation in decision-making
• Gender justice, ensuring women and youth are central to governance
• Localizing benefits to create sustainable, community-led solutions
• Advancing Community Engagement & Accountability

Building on these efforts, SARW also convened a strategic planning session with the Mutoko Conflict & Grievance Redress Mechanism Committee to align initiatives for the year. This meeting reaffirmed SARW’s commitment to community-centred interventions, equipping affected populations with the tools to:

• Advocate for their rights and push for responsible mining practices

• Participate meaningfully in decision-making processes

• Hold government and mining corporations accountable to their policies and commitments

Expanding Dialogue: Launching Radio Programs in Mutoko

To amplify community voices, SARW is launching a series of radio programs in Mutoko District, starting Monday, 31st March 2025. These programs will foster open dialogue on mining governance, environmental justice, and community participation, featuring community members, civil society actors, government officials, and mining companies.

Program Focus Areas:

• Citizen engagement in mining governance – Understanding its role and importance
• Environmental protection & responsible mining – Exploring best practices and mitigation measures
• The impact of mining on communities – Addressing social and economic challenges
• National & local budget consultations – Strengthening transparency and implementation

Beyond the radio discussions, SARW is committed to building sustainable platforms for affected communities to share strategies, advocate for their rights, and ensure mining contributes positively to development while minimizing harm to people and ecosystems.

Towards a More Just Extractive Sector

SARW remains dedicated to strengthening grassroots engagement and ensuring mining-affected communities are at the heart of conversations about resource governance. By fostering dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and accountability, SARW aims to build a more transparent, equitable, and responsible extractive sector in Zimbabwe and beyond.