South chief sounds alarm over mining
By Tony Nkhoma
MINING activities are posing serious challenges to the well-being of the people of Sinazongwe District in Southern Province, Chiftainess Sinazongwe of the Tonga people has said.
Chieftainess Sinazongwe said the lives of the people in her chiefdom were seriously affected by the mining activities yet their spirit remained unbroken.
“The people of Sinazongwe have endured environmental degradation, water contamination and displacement due to mining operations,” Chieftainess Sinazongwe said.
The traditional leader was speaking during a multi-stakeholder dialogue organised by the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) under the Resilience Initiatives for Sustainable Environment (RISE) Project supported by Bread for the World (Germany).
Chieftainess Sinazongwe committed to protecting communities, ensuring their well-being despite challenges posed by mining activities.
The traditional leader said the RISE Project had promoted inclusivity in the district by ensuring that women and people with disabilities remained central to development efforts.
The Office of the Vice President Southern Provincial resettlement development officer Mubanga Mulenga emphasised that investors should find alternative land before displacing people.
Mulenga noted that there had been involuntary resettlement in Sinazongwe district triggered by external factors such as natural disasters or mining operations.
“Efforts are made to ensure land allocation includes infrastructure development and support services from traditional leaders, government institutions and the forestry department,” Mulenga said.
Mulenga said displaced individuals should receive enough compensation and urged investors to adhere to the policies of ensuring displaced communities were left better off than before.
CEJ executive director Maggie Mapalo Mwape said the RISE Project had continued to empower mining-affected communities in Sinazongwe District in Southern Province and Serenje District in Central Province.
Mwape, however, said despite the achievements, challenges such as economic instability, environmental degradation and displacement continued to affect communities.
Sinazongwe district commissioner Nchimunya Siakole said collective action in addressing challenges posed by mining activities and environmental degradation was important.
“Sinazongwe is a district rich in natural resources and resilient communities, yet it continues to grapple with issues such as water contamination, economic instability and displacement particularly affecting vulnerable groups, including women, youth and people with disabilities,” Siakole said.
Siakole said it was important to align local efforts with national policies to create lasting solutions for affected communities.
