Panners Occupy Ex-Minister Kuruneri's Farm

Former Finance and Economic Development Minister Dr Christopher Kuruneri is crying foul over the occupation of his Mazowe farm by three people who are extracting gold there without his consent.

Dr Kuruneri, who is now Member of the National Assembly for Mt Darwin East, claims Messrs Sipho Mlalazi, Arnold Chidawanyika and Ms Alice Mufandaedza were illegally extracting gold on his farm without his approval in violation of Section 25 of the Mines and Minerals Act.

In terms of that piece of legislation, Dr Kuruneri said, he should have been consulted and subsequently consent to such activities. The politician has approached the High Court with an eviction application against the trio, saying they were destroying his paddocks and causing damage to the land through unsanctioned drilling and construction of structures.

In the court application filed by Kuruneri Law Practice recently, the politician stated that he was the registered owner of Ascotvale Farm in Mazowe, which is held under Deed Number 6802/97.

Panners Occupy Ex-Minister Kuruneri's Farm

On an unknown date, Dr Kuruneri stated, the three came to the farm and started mining on the farm without his written consent as required by the law.

"Second respondent (Mr Chidawanyika) claims he bought the mining claim which he is mining from one John Meki who was once mining on my farm with my consent.

"This is also in contravention of Section 25 of the Mines and Minerals Act," read Dr Kuruneri's founding affidavit.

He indicated in the affidavit that Mr Chidawanyika also unlawfully installed a gold mill and an electricity transformer on the farm, a development that has attracted several illegal gold panners to the farm.

"The gold mill is attracting illegal gold panners to the farm who leave large holes in my paddocks thereby posing danger to my livestock.

"I have already lost two cattle which fell into these holes," he argued.

The politician argued that Mr Mlalazi once attempted to drill two boreholes on the farm without his consent.

He stated that the three built homesteads on the farm and they are also illegally carrying out farming activities on the same piece of land.

To that end, Dr Kuruneri is seeking the eviction of the trio with costs.

The three respondents did not the oppose the application and Dr Kuruneri has applied for the order to be placed on the High Court's unopposed roll in anticipation of a default judgment.