MUTARE: Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officers from 3 Infantry Brigade have been accused of destroying the environment through wanton cutting down of trees at Arda Transau farm in Odzi.
The farm is where hundreds of villagers from Marange where relocated by government to pave way for the mining of diamonds.
Last Friday, irate villagers told a Manicaland Alternative Mining Indaba convened by Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association (ZELA) that army officers were randomly cutting down trees with chain saws.
The villagers said when they approached officers over the issue they were threatened with unspecified action.
“When we try to cut down firewood we are being prohibited by the army officers at the Grand Reef.
“Surprisingly however, they are busy cutting down trees with chain saws and we don’t know where they are taking the firewood to.
“Probably they are selling in Mutare. It’s so sad that the environment is being destroyed,” said one villager.
Another villager only identified as Mai Gombingo said the rate at which the army was destroying the environment was worrisome and challenged the relevant authorities to take action.
“We cannot just keep quite when the environment is being destroyed by the army officers. They should be stopped,” said Gombingo.
In response, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Manicaland Provincial Manager, Kingstones Chitotombe promised to institute an investigation into the matter.
“Thanks for bringing this matter to our attention. No one is above the law and action will be taken against those who tamper with environmental laws,” said Chitotombe.-NewZimbabwe.com
