GALPEX mine which is one of the major culprits of damaging the Deka road has been ordered to resume operation only after the company had resuscitated the road.
The road which was destroyed by mining activities had become a danger to most motorists who use it.
The Minister of State for Matebeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo ordered the Galpex to fix the road before they resume operations. The mine suspended its operations in 2023 due to lack of capital and are looking for an investor before they resume mining operations.
“We want Galpex company to resuscitate the road before they start their operations. We are not going to be easy on you. You need to give us a timeline when you will start to fix the road,” he ordered.
The road, which is known for having massive potholes resulting from the movement of haulage trucks, has become a death trap for villagers and domestic animals living along the Deka and Zambezi road.
Deka Road links Hwange town to the Zambezi River, connects to Victoria Falls via Jambezi, and proceeds to Binga along the Zambezi.
Destruction of the stretch blocks villagers from linking the Victoria Falls-Hwange-Binga Special Economic Zone (SEZ) demarcated by the government.
The SEZ capacitates tourism, agriculture and mining as it includes integrating the natural environment, current ecotourism activities and requirements of the World Heritage status; thus, villagers feel left out.
Access to the SEZ benefits the villagers by enhancing their tourism products and integrating other mining and irrigation activities in Binga and Hwange districts.
Turning to the deplorable state of the Bulawayo to Victoria Falls which has become a nightmare for users, Minister Moyo urged local mining companies and those who operate safaris to contribute in the rehabilitation of the highway as they and their clients are major users of the route.
“Miners you are the major users of the Victoria Falls –Bulawayo highway. We are appealing for your assistance in the resuscitation of the highway as we wait for the government intervention through Bitumen world,” he said.
The Galpex company was opened in 2010 and has been working with contractors in their operations. The mine has been into open cast mining which has led to massive land degradation around the mine.
However, the mine has committed to resuscitate the DekaHwange road before they resume operation. – (Indonsakusa)
