The Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) has hauled five mining syndicates to court over contamination of water sources as well as destruction of houses and buildings arising from mining activities.
In the High Court application filed by MURRA, Lions Mining Syndicate, Lions2 Mining Syndicate, Bossro Mining Syndicate, Edward Arthur Hill and Great Zimbabwe Syndicate are listed as respondents.
The provincial Mining Director for Masvingo Province, the Masvingo City Council and the Zimbabwe Republic Police Officer Commanding Masvingo province are also listed as respondents in the High Court application by MURRA.
In an interview, MURRA Spokesperson, Godfrey Mtimba said they were seeking an order stopping mining activities at Target Kopje. He said the mining activities were a huge hazard to residents.
“The mining activities are threatening the collapse of houses in Hillside and Target Kopje residential areas as houses are developing cracks due to blasting in the mines.
“The miners are also excavating gold beneath the city water tanks situated in the hills. The miners also use poisonous chemicals like cyanide that can contaminate water,” said Mtimba.