Kovedzayi Takawira
Zvimba—The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has halted the operations of a Chinese-owned quarry miner, Berrytech Investments, amid an uproar from residents of Ward 25 in Zvimba East district in Mashonaland West over the desecration of ancestral graves.
The agency had to stop Berrytech because it was operating without a valid environmental impact assessment (EIA) certificate.
Blasting by the company’s reportedly exposed human remains, sparking outrage and deepening tensions over the alleged disregard for local heritage and environmental regulations.
Chief Israel Pasipanodya Kawanzaruwa of the Narira clan and a descendant of those buried at the site confirmed that his ancestors’ graves had been disturbed.
“The mine is now occupied by new owners who were not informed by the previous operators that this site has custodians who should be consulted before any work is carried out,” he said.
Chief Kawanzaruwa revealed that the Chinese miner was sold down the river by a previous owner of the quarry that omitted informing Berrytech management that there was an old graveyard in the area.
“The new owners assumed that since they bought the land, they could mine anywhere they wanted. But when they blasted a new shaft, they discovered the bones of my forefathers. That’s when we were alerted, and we notified the relevant authorities,” he added.
For Chief Kawanzaruwa and his people, disturbing ancestral graves could bring curses like poor rains.
Ward 25 councillor, Ruzai Muchawurwa, expressed frustration over the company’s failure to engage with local leadership or follow due process.
“When the new owners arrived, they never paid a courtesy call on the local leadership. At one point, they conducted an open-ground blast, and a stone hit a passerby.
“When I confronted them, they claimed the site was in Ward 10, not my jurisdiction. But after verifying with my map, I confirmed they were in my ward,” said Muchawurwa.
Following numerous complaints from the community, EMA intervened and issued a Level 14 fine to Berrytech Investments for operating without the required EIA licence.
In a written statement, Amkela Sidange, EMA’s environmental education and publicity manager, confirmed that her agency fined the company in mid-January.
“The agency confirms that an environmental protection order to cease operations and a Level 14 fine were served to Berrytech Investments on 14 January 2025.
“This follows the realisation that the company changed ownership without following due process by transferring the EIA license, in violation of Section 97 of the Environmental Act [20:27],” Sidange said.
EMA has ordered the company to halt all operations till after it submits a new EIA report for approval.
The report must include a comprehensive archaeological assessment and be conducted in consultation with the National Museums and Monuments department as well as the locals.
“The agency is working with the community and local leadership to closely monitor compliance with the environmental protection order,” Sidange added.
Former Zvimba East MP Oliver Mutasa criticised EMA for failing to detect the illegal operations earlier.
“This company has been in the area for some time, and EMA should have noticed the change in ownership. If they were not receiving quarterly reports, that should have been a red flag. Even if they were receiving them, they should have noticed something had changed,” said Mutasa.
He, however, acknowledged logistical challenges, noting that EMA’s nearest office is situated at the district level, approximately 80 kilometres from the mine, a factor that may have contributed to oversight lapses.
Chief Kawanzaruwa confirmed that consultations were underway between the affected community members and the company to rebury the disturbed remains in a traditional manner.
This process is intended to appease the ancestors and address the cultural concerns raised by the community.