Mutoko Communities Mobilise for Mining Accountability

In the heart of Mutoko District, communities from Wards 5, 10, and 18 have long endured the impacts of mining; from damaged homes due to blasting vibrations, to inaccessible or poorly maintained roads, to a lack of tangible benefits from mining operations. Frustration has simmered over the years as environmental degradation and economic injustices became part of daily life. However, the first quarter of 2025 marked a turning point in their story. With support from Shine Faith-Based Trust and the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW), the Mutoko Grievance Handling and Redress Committee launched a coordinated fact-finding initiative. Their mission was to give voice to the lived experiences of communities affected by mining and to lay the foundation for dialogue with the companies responsible.

The committee, with the support of SARW, intends to conduct community outreach in Wards 5, 10, and 1, gathering first-hand testimonies on reported grievances. Community members have been sharing their stories and highlighting concerns such as cracked homes, dust pollution, and the lack of CSR projects by mining companies. The outreach will be followed by a powerful engagement: A Grievance Handling and Company Dialogue session where community representatives sit across the table from mining company officials. This session will not only provide a platform for communities to express their frustrations but also challenge companies to respond transparently and respectfully to grievances. Building on this momentum.

Through these actions, the Mutoko community is transforming from passive recipients of mining’s negative impacts to active agents of change. The initiative has created a vital bridge between marginalized voices and decision-makers and is setting a precedent for community-driven governance in Zimbabwe’s extractive sector.