Zim GBC News | Health and Environment
MUDZI – A Chinese mining company has raised serious environmental concerns over alleged illegal mining activities being conducted on the banks of Manyuchi River in Mudzi District by businessman Emmanuel Ndemera, who is reportedly linked to Zanu PF.
Through its legal representatives, Zhangveng Syndicate has written to the Environment Management Agency (EMA), warning of potential ecological disaster and accusing law enforcement of shielding Ndemera due to his “powerful political connections.”
In a letter dated October 13, 2025, addressed to EMA Director General Aaron Chigona, the law firm Rubaya & Chatambudza, acting for the licensed mining operator, made startling allegations against Ndemera’s operations.
“Our client has confirmed that Mr Emmanuel Ndemera is conducting ore processing operations with his Carbon-in-Pulp plant situated within the very banks of the Manyuchi River,” the lawyers wrote.
“This activity constitutes a clear and present danger, posing a severe risk of toxic chemical contamination to the watercourse, thereby directly endangering the lives and health of downstream communities and causing irreversible harm to the local flora and fauna.”
The syndicate is demanding that EMA urgently investigate whether Ndemera obtained a valid Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate, as required by Section 97 of the Environmental Management Act, and whether his operations constitute prohibited alluvial mining under Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024.
The legal representatives called for immediate action, stating:
“If Ndemera is operating illegally, as we strongly believe he is, we entreat you to act decisively to halt these operations. We insist that you engage the Zimbabwe Republic Police without delay to ensure compliance and prosecution.”
The company revealed that previous attempts to report the alleged offenses to police had been unsuccessful.
“Criminal complaints lodged at both Makosa Police Station and Mutoko Police Station were rejected, with our client being explicitly told that Ndemera is ‘too hot to handle’ due to his political links,” the letter stated, describing this as “a gross miscarriage of justice.”
The law firm further accused Ndemera of “routinely boasting of his powerful political connections, which he explicitly uses to intimidate our client and to manipulate officials from the Mashonaland East Provincial Ministry of Mines and the local police.”
Zhangveng Syndicate emphasized its direct stake in the matter, noting that “its employees rely on the downstream water source now being contaminated.”
The letter was copied to the Commissioner General of Police, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, urging them to “independently verify the serious allegations raised herein.”
As of press time, the Environmental Management Agency, police, and Mines Ministry had not publicly responded to the allegations.
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