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Freedom Mupanedemo

Midlands Bureau

STEEL giant, Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco), that is setting up a US$1 billion steel plant near Mvuma, has started drilling boreholes for the surrounding community as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Disco, which is a subsidiary of global steel firm, Tsingshan Holdings, relocated some families to pave way for the construction of the plant and mining its ore reserves.

It has already completed some of the houses that it is building for the affected families.

Local councillor, Simon Mapete, commended the company for the huge investment in the area saying other foreign investors should emulate what they have done.

He said the area, which has been without mobile phone network, was fast developing into a small town following the investment by Disco.

“What we are witnessing here is so amazing; our area is developing into a town and for decades. We have been struggling to get clean water and before they even start operating, they have started engaging into social responsibility programmes, assisting us with clean water,” he said.

So far, two boreholes have been drilled for the community.

“When they started, we all thought it as a joke but the development we are witnessing here is unbelievable. They connected us to mobile networks and only last weekend, they came and drilled two boreholes for the locals and they have promised to sink more boreholes for the surrounding community,” said Cllr Mapete.

A local villager, Mrs Mariam Manyukwe, said they were relieved by the provision of clean water.

“We have been walking for a close to 1km to get to where there is a water source and we are very grateful to this company which is developing our area,” she said.

Mr Lovemore Makora, another local villager, said the company had also employed dozens of youths in the area.

“We want to thank the Second Republic for its warm reception that has brought about such a huge investment in our area. 

“Our boys and girls now have jobs; they are being employed in various departments at the mine,” he said.

Disco has also adopted a local vulnerable family that had been struggling to make a living.

Cllr Mapete said the steel company would be building a modern home for the family as well as providing monthly groceries since the bread winner is disabled.

“These are some of the good works we are witnessing being done by this company. We are very happy with the developments that are going on here,” said Cllr Mapete.