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Fungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau
Government’s devolution concept has become a blueprint in transforming communities and all economic activities should be harnessed to ensure success, a traditional leader has said.

Chief Chipuriro of Guruve in Mashonaland Central province said he welcomed economic activities that could change the lives of his subjects in line with the national developmental agenda.

Speaking at his homestead at Impinge in Mvurwi, Chief Chipuriro, born Clever Mashiki, said his area was rich in minerals such as gold and chrome, as well as agriculture and tourism and these should help to bring prosperity to the area.

“I support development because it brings peace and stability,” he said. “The government benefits from development, employment is created and the local community also benefits. In Guruve we have vast mines of gold and chrome.”

Chief Chipuriro said as a traditional leader in the area, he had authorized mining activities in the Mavuradonha area, in consultation with other Government agencies.

“All potential investors come through the Chief and we order them to bring all requisite licenses and paperwork from the Mines and Mining Development Ministry before attending to them,” he said.

“They will need a questioner paper from us on the dos and don’ts of the area. This will ensure sustainable and environment friendly mining. Preservation of our tradition also ensures that famines don’t befall the community.”

He explained that he was at the forefront of ensuring that economic activities were done in accordance with local traditions.

“My ancestors were buried in the Mavuradonha Wilderness and Chipuriro’s spirit mediums are the ones who perform rituals in the mountain,” said Chief Chipuriro. “I took the Museums and Monuments to all the sacred caves and I gave them the history of this kingdom.

“Mines and Mining Development Ministry approved mining rights to companies because it is possible for mining to take place in the wilderness. When done properly, mining, tourism and other economic activities can coexist in the wilderness.

“I cannot stop approved mining companies from operating, but traditional rituals in the area are done by me. The Environmental Management Agency awards these companies certificates and they constantly monitor the sites because it is possible for mining to take place. Wild animals are far away from mining sites which are fenced.

“A traditional house known as Zumba was constructed in the Mavuradonha Wilderness and we are in the process of brewing beer for a national traditional ceremony at Nyambare area to be conducted soon.”

Chief Chipuriro’s sentiments came after a chief from another area, Chief Chiweshe, recently claimed in the private media that the Mavuradonha area belonged to him and that he did not welcome Chinese investors.

Zimbabwe’s biggest ferrochrome producer, Afrochine, holds chrome mining claims in the area, although it is yet to exploit the minerals, while illegal activities have begun taking place, causing environmental damage.

A recent High Court judgment stopped illegal activities in certain portions of the area that encroached on tourism business.