An institutional research by the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has unearthed lack of transparency and accountability in the extraction of sand as well as gravel in Lupane where the local community is not benefiting from the vast natural resources in the area.
The research was motivated by the need to collect findings on the issue of sand and gravel harvesting in Lupane so as to ensure transparency and accountability in the sand and gravel harvesting in Lupane.
The research findings show that there is lack of transparency and accountability in the harvesting of sand and gravel in the Matabeleland North district.
The communities remain unaware of what is happening within their communities. There is a blatant disregard of land rights, as some of the pits extend and encroach into affected community members’ plots,” reads part of the CNRG report.
The organisation also found out that the extraction has affected community roads.
“There is lack of compensation policies for villagers whose plots have been encroached into and have pits in their areas. There is also lack of community benefits accruing from the grave mining proceeds. The pits may provide a hazard for local livestock and people as they can collect and accumulate water during the just begun rain season,” reads the CNRG report.
In a recent visit to the area, The Weekly gathered that the pits are located at the border of Asa Mlalazi (84)’s plot.
She explained how it came to that and expressed concerns over the local board’s inaction over the problem.
“The local board came to ask to construct a road, they pegged a certain portion and came with machinery and started digging. After they had initiated the digging, the young men from the community also started coming, extracting and selling gravel and sand for various purposes.
“We engaged them and asked them not to cross the boundary when extracting gravel and they never listened, and I have given up. I have approached the local board a couple of times and asked them to come but the council representatives still haven’t availed themselves,” she said.
The digging continues to encroach into her plot. The pits that are located by her cattle kraal, pose a danger to both her livestock and family.
Mlalazi’s situation depicts the general state of affairs in the area and many other villagers are trapped in the same predicament.
Failure to have communication from the local council and responsible authorities.
is an obstacle that has ensured communities have not been engaged on these issues.
The Weekly also gathered that there is lack of communication between authorities and local people in the area which has since scaled down chances for communities to benefit from the natural resources.
Recommendations
Under the circumstances, CNRG proposes the following:
- Engage local leaders, to interface with communities and ensure communities are made aware of the agreements in place and the benefits accrued off the engagement to date.
- To initiate an advocacy campaign against such extraction of gravel in Lupane
- To ensure advocacy that will effect a design of community benefit strategies amidst the continued loot of gravel in Lupane.