FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 JULY 2026
Joint Solidarity Statement Condemning Intimidation of Buhera Residents Network Trust Following Parliamentary Testimony
Issued jointly by:
- Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG)
- Zimbabwe Diamond Workers Union (ZIDWU)
- Centre for Peace Research and Development in Africa (CPRDA)
- Zivai Community Empowerment Trust (ZICET)
The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), Zimbabwe Diamond Workers Union (ZIDWU), Centre for Peace Research and Development in Africa (CPRDA), and Zivai Community Empowerment Trust (ZICET) strongly condemn the intimidation directed at the Buhera Residents Network Trust (BRNT) following its appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife.
Following BRNT’s oral presentation to Parliament on 6 July 2026, citing the environmental, social and labour impacts associated with mining operations of Sabi Star (Maxi Mind Investments) in Buhera, a senior government official publicly issued a threatening statement directed at the organisation and its representative. Such conduct is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy and undermines the authority of Parliament as an institution established to receive evidence from citizens without fear or favour.
The issues presented before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife, against the Sabi Star, a Chinese owned entity, include allegations of environmental degradation, contamination of water sources, excessive water abstraction, unsafe working conditions, dust pollution, and the displacement of communities. These are matters of profound public interest. They are not personal grievances. They raise questions concerning compliance with Zimbabwe’s environmental, labour and mining laws and therefore warrant thorough and impartial investigation by Parliament and the relevant oversight institutions.
It is our view that this brazen attempt to discredit and intimidate citizens for presenting evidence before Parliament strikes at the heart of Zimbabwe’s constitutional order. In particular, section 119 of the Constitution places Parliament under a duty to protect the Constitution, promote democratic governance and ensure that every institution and agency of government acts constitutionally and in the national interest. This oversight responsibility cannot be effectively exercised if witnesses, petitioners and community representatives are subjected to intimidation after appearing before parliamentary committees.
Further, Section 67 of the Constitution guarantees every Zimbabwean the right to participate peacefully in political processes and to influence governmental policies through lawful means. In addition, Section 62 guarantees the right of access to information necessary for public accountability, while Section 73 guarantees every person the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being and obliges the State to prevent ecological degradation and secure sustainable use of natural resources. These constitutional rights necessarily include the freedom of affected communities to report environmental harm and seek redress through Parliament.
The Parliamentary Privileges, Immunities and Powers Act [Chapter 2:08] further reinforces the independence and authority of Parliament by protecting the integrity of parliamentary proceedings. This Act recognises that Parliament must be able to receive evidence freely and without interference, obstruction or intimidation. Any conduct that has the effect of discouraging, intimidating or penalising individuals for giving evidence or petitioning Parliament undermines parliamentary privilege and threatens the ability of Parliament to discharge its constitutional oversight functions effectively.
Public confidence in parliamentary oversight depends upon citizens knowing that they can approach parliamentary committees without fear of reprisals. When community representatives are threatened for fulfilling their civic duty, the chilling effect extends beyond one organisation, it discourages other communities from reporting environmental abuses, labour rights violations and governance failures.
We therefore call upon the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife to reaffirm its commitment to protecting citizens who engage with Parliament and to proceed with a comprehensive investigation into the matters raised by the Buhera Residents Network Trust.
Parliament should ensure that the allegations concerning environmental pollution, worker safety, water security, community displacement and compliance with environmental obligations are independently verified through site inspections, evidence gathering and public hearings where necessary.
We further urge the Speaker of Parliament to safeguard integrity of parliamentary processes by ensuring that witnesses appearing before Portfolio Committees are protected from intimidation, harassment or retaliation arising from their participation in parliamentary proceedings. The credibility of Parliament depends upon its ability to hear evidence freely and independently.
We also call upon all public officials to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Constitution and the principles of accountable governance. Differences with evidence presented before Parliament should be addressed through facts, investigations and lawful processes, not through threats, ridicule or attempts to silence community voices.
Communities living alongside mining operations are not enemies of development. They are constitutional rights holders entitled to safe environments, meaningful participation in decisions affecting their lives, and access to effective remedies where harm has occurred. Responsible mining cannot exist without transparency, accountability and respect for human rights.
As civil society organisations committed to environmental justice, labour rights, peacebuilding and community empowerment, we stand in unwavering solidarity with the Buhera Residents Network Trust. We will continue to defend the constitutional rights of communities to organise, to petition Parliament, to expose environmental harm, and to demand accountability in the governance of Zimbabwe’s natural resources.
Silencing communities does not resolve environmental grievances. Independent investigations, transparency and accountability do.
Signed:
Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG)
Zimbabwe Diamond Workers Union (ZIDWU)
Centre for Peace Research and Development in Africa (CPRDA)
Zivai Community Empowerment Trust (ZICET)
10 July 2026