POLICE in Kwekwe at the weekend reportedly unleashed dogs and beat up workers at Dundrum Mine, accusing them of grabbing the mine from a Zanu PF activist, Shepard Tundiya.
The dispute is between Tundiya and Milton Marufu, who owns Dundrum Mine, amid accusations of “name-dropping”.
“Marufu indeed owns Dundrum Mine, but the area under dispute is a no-man’s land. He (Marufu) claims relation to First Lady Grace Mugabe, while Tundiya has been using CDF (Commander Defence Forces) Constantine Chiwenga’s name to intimidate senior police officers in the province, who have been protecting the area from illegal mining, including by Marufu,” it was heard.
Tundiya is said to have appeared from nowhere with a “licence” last Friday and demanded police escort him to the site.
But when contacted him for comment, he said he had no interests in mining.
“I am not involved in any mining activities,” he said.
“I am a transporter and I deal in coal and charcoal. Some people just want to get me in trouble or to soil my name. My line of business does not require any assistance from anyone. I do not have any mining licence for any claim.”
The Midlands province acting mines director, identified as Makuza, who is accused of issuing the doctored document, declined to discuss the matter.
“I can neither deny nor confirm the existence of a fake licence, but you also know that I need clearance from the permanent secretary of Mines ministry to speak to the media. My position is that I will not deny or confirm there is a certificate circulating,” he said.
But a source privy to the wrangle insisted: “This is a clear case of corruption by Makuza. The ministry is aware money changed hands and Mines principal director Charles Tahwa has been dispatched to deal with the issue. Tundiya is already on the ground mining using the dubious licence.AMH
