Ever since the legalisation of artisanal mining, there have been friction between those who own land
and use it for growing crops and those engaged in mining as to who should get preference of land.
Farmers have been on the receiving end of the conflict with artisanal miners using their numbers
and brawn to harass the former. Wherever the artisanal miners find gold or any other mineral they
beg regardless of who or where that land is and immediately start operations.
Most farmers have been afraid of confronting and pushing away these miners for fear of losing their
lives.
That is why we applaud the decision by authorities to have the two protagonists sit and talk and find
a way they can co-exist. There have been many miner-farmer conflicts in most communities as the
two sectors clash over control and access to the land.
Farmers complain that mining is an unsustainable activity which causes environmental degradation,
injuries and death to livestock due to open and dangerous pits left by miners while prospecting for
minerals.
The Zimbabwe Lands Commission should help resolve land disputes between farmers and miners as
this retards development in the country. Both sectors are important to the economy but we implore
them to be organised.
Such disputes affect production as time is spent on unnecessary court cases when, miners should be
busy prospecting for minerals while farmers will also be busy in the fields.
It is sad to note that land meant for farming has been taken over by miners. In most cases, miners
unjustly invade the farmer’s property without the decency of notifying the owner and formalising
their operations.
There is also another problem of double land allocation by authorities.
Farmers and miners should assist Rural District Councils in developmental projects like the
maintenance and rehabilitation of roads which are no longer accessible after being damaged by
incessant rains.
Good roads are needed for easy transportation of crops by farmers to the markets. Same applies to
miners, who need good roads so that they can have easy access to the mines.
The Zimbabwe Lands Commission is guided by the Constitution to resolve any land disputes.
The Commission under Section 297 (1) (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment No. 20)
Act, 2013 is mandated to investigate and determine complaints and disputes regarding the
supervision, administration and allocation of agriculture land.
The Commission should conduct comprehensive land audits and inspections of agricultural land in
order solve any land disputes.
The ZLC is also mandated to ensure accountability, fairness and transparency in the administration
of agricultural land, conduct periodical audits, make recommendations to the Government regarding
the acquisition of private land for public purposes and the elimination of all forms of unfair
discrimination, particularly gender discrimination.
