Murambinda, Buhera — The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife has visited Buhera North to verify grievances lodged by communities against Sabi Star Mine.

Committee chair Sam Matema led the tour across Wards 11, 12 and 14 in Murambinda following a petition by the Buhera Residents Association to Parliament.

“What we are here for is to ascertain whether the petition we received at parliament indeed came from you as the affected communities,” Matema told residents.

The tour comes as communities in Ward 12 accuse the mine of exposing them to hazardous pollution, destroying livelihoods, and violating constitutional rights. The petition also cites water shortages, suspected chemical leakage, and the constant fear of forced relocation.

He stressed the importance of involving traditional leaders in all decisions affecting communities.

“The involvement of local leaders is also key. Traditional leaders must not be left behind — they should be involved and consulted in all decisions that affect the communities because they are the custodians of the people and the environment.”

A dominant grievance across the visited wards is dust from Gaza road.

Mukwasi Primary School headmaster Newton Mudzoto thanked the mine for its contribution calling on the investor to continue assisting the school in infrastructure development.

The mine has reportedly invested about US$2 million in upgrading the 40km gravel road from Gaza Business Centre to the mine.

Mine’s contributions acknowledged

Despite the complaints, residents acknowledged the mine’s contributions to the community, including the construction of the Mukubu Community Clinic valued at US$220,000.

“Thank you very much for the clinic that you constructed,” Mudzoto said, while also appealing for further assistance. He pleaded with the mine to employ more locals as this had positive ripple effects on fees payment.

Traditional leader Chief Nemhari applauded the mine’s presence while raising concerns about transparency. He also called on councillors to be honest with people’s grievances when presenting communities’ challenges at parliamentary and legislative levels.

In Murambinda, where 23 families were ressettled, residents acknowledged that the issue of their stands sizes had been rectified and aligned with their contractual agreement with the mine. 

Beyond agriculture and water infrastructure — where the mine has drilled 26 boreholes, 16 of them solar-powered.

The tour comes as Sabi Star Mine has reported investing over US$5 Million in community development and resettlement programmes in the area

Sabi Star operated by Max Mind Private Limited, as part of its lithium mining operations in Buhera District, has embarked on the programmes spanning 2022 to 2026. The initiatives include the relocation of 40 families, construction of modern housing, road infrastructure improvements, healthcare facilities, water supply projects, and extensive social support programmes benefiting thousands of community members.

The mine relocated over 40 families from Mkwasi and Tagarira villages, with 23 choosing resettlement in Murambinda Township and the others opting for nearby villages. 

Max Mind constructed modern three-bedroom houses at a combined cost exceeding US$2.14 million, complemented by electricity infrastructure (US$45,630.76), fencing (US$37,206.60), and water reticulation systems (US$64,113.70). 

A culturally sensitive operation exhumed and relocated eight graves from Mkwasi Village at a cost of US$11,188.90, with compensation of US$1,500 per adult grave and US$1,000 per child’s grave. 

The mine also invested US$1,124,368.53 in constructing the 37-kilometre Gaza–Sabi Star Mine Road, later expanding it to a double-lane carriageway at US$461,911.39, with additional maintenance costing US$57,000 in 2025.

In healthcare and education, Sabi Star Mine constructed a community clinic at US$132,190.90, donated medical equipment worth US$51,847.68, and provided US$10,994.47 for operational readiness.

The mine invested US$112,397.26 in school refurbishments and US$168,718.00 in solar-powered boreholes for schools, while an additional US$18,161.44 supported school nutrition gardens. 

The company built a house for Chief Nyashanu and provided maintenance support. Affected families received disturbance allowances and asset compensation totalling US$65,300.00, with farmers receiving US$106,661.21 in land compensation. 

The mine drilled 18 boreholes across communities, implemented dust-suppression trials at US$36,986.00, and distributed 120 metal litter bins through an EMA partnership. 

Social programmes included 30 tonnes of maize (US$15,000) for drought-affected families, grocery hampers for 120 elderly and disabled persons (US$3,100), sporting equipment donations, and a community poultry project with 2,000-day-old chicks (US$5,999). 

The mine continues stakeholder engagement and has employed a number of  young people from relocated families, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable community development and corporate social responsibility.