By A Correspondent – Chipinge, January 8, 2026 — A Chipinge Residents and Ratepayers Trust (CRRT), a civic organisation dedicated to defending community rights, is facing mounting threats as unregulated mining interests tighten their grip on the district.

On January 5, 4 members of the organisation were brutally intimidated and harassed by suspected state security agents during a dialogue meeting addressing abuses and looming forced evictions linked to mining activities reportedly backed by foreign investors and certain traditional leaders. The attackers seized 4 mobile phones, a video camera, and a laptop—none of which have been recovered. 2 members sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a private hospital.

This violent incident follows a chilling episode on December 15, 2025, when the organisation’s leadership received a series of anonymous calls threatening harm to them and their families. The threats demanded the organisation abandon its advocacy for strict enforcement of environmental laws, transparent investigations into mining-related deaths, and accountability for perpetrators operating outside the law. In response, several members have gone into hiding to protect themselves from further harm.

The organisation has intensified its opposition to planned forced evictions in Mutandahwe and other parts of Chipinge District—evictions widely believed to be orchestrated to clear land for mining developments. It has stood as a bulwark against exploitative practices, challenging companies that enter communities without consultation and operate with little regard for transparency or accountability.

Despite escalating danger, the leadership remains defiant. Speaking from an undisclosed location, a senior representative reaffirmed their mission:
“No amount of intimidation will deter our commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice for all residents of Chipinge District.”

These words reflect the resilience of a movement weathering repeated storms in defence of ordinary citizens. The threats may be growing louder, but so too is the resolve to stand firm against the tide of unregulated mining and the erosion of community rights.