NORTON residents have petitioned the town council protesting against a Chinese company — Ronchelle Trading — planning to establish gypsum mining operations in an industrial area.
The clash mirrors several recent disputes across Zimbabwe, where Chinese firms have been accused of displacing villagers, damaging graves, and destroying cultural sites due to gold and granite mining.
In response to Ronchelle’s plans, some Knowe residents have petitioned the Norton Town Council to stop the company from mining on an industrial site.
The controversy escalated after the council published a notice in May, outlining its intention to rezone Stand 5841 in Knowe Township from residential to industrial use.
The proposed industrial area spans 33,7 hectares, currently zoned for agro-residential purposes.
“It is proposed to establish an industrial stand on the above-named property, which is some 33,7 hectares in area and is zoned for agro-residential use in the approved Knowe layout plan, wherein the proposed use requires special consent from the local authority,” reads the notice.
“In terms of the Act, the application is required to be advertised and owners of adjacent properties notified in writing before the application can be considered for a permit by the local authority.
“The application plans and any special conditions which the local authority is likely to impose in the event of this application being favourably considered may be inspected during normal office hours.
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“Any person wishing to make any objections or representations relating to this application must lodge them with the undersigned within one month from date of insertion of this notice," the notice further states.
Documents seen by the Zimbabwe Independent show that over 119 letters of objection were submitted to the council.
In a letter dated June 4 2024, a town planning consultant Francis Emmanuel, representing the Chinese firm, said it was supposed to address the risks of traffic, air, and water pollution.
“Ronchelle private limited shall address the risks of traffic, air and water pollution upon granting of development permit through the environmental management plan. We shall continue to engage Knowe residents as the development progresses,” the letter reads in part.
“It is our belief that collective well-being and the future of our planet depends on responsible decision-making.
“Norton residents shall be given first priority during recruitment of employees and we are willing to partner with residents in all outstanding projects, with particular attention being paid to Knowe, so as to help ourselves achieve an upper-middle income status by year 2030 as outlined in the National Development strategies 1 and 2 being spearheaded by the government of Zimbabwe."
Yesterday, Emmanuel told the Independent that there was no development taking place on the piece of land in question.
He said: “There is no development that has taken place on the ground. On Sunday, we are going to meet with the residents of Norton. I will give you the agenda of the meeting”.
The Independent sought to understand whether the property in question was a residential site or industrial area.
However, residents remain sceptical about the company’s intentions.
In another letter, Michael Gova, chairperson of the Knowe Residents Association, said economic benefits associated with the project should not supersede community health.
He said despite receiving numerous objection letters, the consultant had requested a stakeholder meeting with the residents to discuss the issue.
“We recommended a stakeholder engagement meeting involving the Knowe residents and the company,” Gova said.
“He highlighted the economic benefits associated with the project which we appreciated but nonetheless it should not come at the expense of our health."
Despite these efforts, some residents are questioning the purpose of the meeting, accusing both the town council and some community members of pushing the project despite the complaints.
“We have indicated that we do not want this thing for various reasons but there are those that are insisting, who include some town council officials and some of our very own residents,” one resident said.
“It looks like there is more to it and we understand some of these people have been paid.
“Otherwise, what was the purpose of the notice calling for any objections when they knew they would go ahead with their plan."
Norton Town Council’s public relations officer, Leeroy Muponda, did not respond to questions.
