Monday 16 December 2019 – By Business Reporter
HARARE (Mining Index) – PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned mining officials to shun corruption in the extractive sector saying his government will decisively deal with those caught on the wrong side of the law.
He said this while addressing the 18th edition of the ZANU PF Annual National Peoples Conference which ended in Goromonzi yesterday.
“Corruption and chicanery by some mining officials will be decisively dealt with. Perpetrators must stand warned,” said President Mnangagwa.
This is not the first time the President has spoken against corruption in the sector. In December last year, President Mnangagwa called for transparency in the mining sector threatening that his administration will not condone any acts of corruption or misappropriation of national resources.
Corruption is entrenched in the highest levels of governance and threatens Zimbabwe’s democracy. According to the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), over a billion in mining revenue is lost annually through leakages, especially of gold.
Government, together with various stakeholders are expected in 2020 to pursue the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) membership aimed to create transparency, accountability and combat corruption in Zimbabwe’s extractive sector.
President Mnangagwa called on artisanal miners to desist from violence which has rocked the mining sector particularly in the Midlands province. Scores of people have died due to violence in the sector.
“The Party commends the role of small scale miners in growing our mining sector, in particular, those in the gold and chrome sub- sectors. I call on those in this sub-sector to desist from violence and other illegal activities,” he said.
He applauded the US$12 billion mining target set for 2023. “In the mining sector, we have launched a strategy which will see us grow a 12 billion dollar mining industry, by 2023. This will provide empowerment and employment for our people throughout the country,” he said. ENDS//
