Penhalonga, Mutasa District — Barely days after a controversial eviction notice targeting 200 residents in Tsvingwe and Penhalonga, community fears have escalated with revelations that the land is being cleared to pave way for gold mining expansion by Betterbrands Mining Company, in partnership with a Chinese investor consortium.
On 19 January 2026, residents held an emergency meeting to discuss the planned mining operations on Tsvingwe Mountain, located just meters from residential and industrial areas. Community members say they were advised to stop farming surrounding fields, sparking outrage over the loss of livelihoods and the absence of consultation.
Mining Expansion Sparks Alarm
Betterbrands, owned by ZANU PF businessman Pedzisai “Scott” Sakupwanya, has already faced repeated suspensions at Redwing Mine for unsafe practices, environmental destruction, and illegal riverbed mining. Now, with Chinese partners entering the Tsvingwe concession, residents fear a repeat of toxic pollution, open pits, and fatal accidents that have plagued Penhalonga since 2020.
Women’s Rights at Stake
The Zivai Community Empowerment Trust, a leading women’s rights organization, has stepped forward to defend affected families. The group warns that women — already the majority among those facing eviction — will suffer disproportionate harm, losing homes, farmland, and economic independence.
> “This is not development, it is dispossession. Mining so close to homes and factories will destroy lives, especially for women who depend on farming and vending,” said a Zivai Trust representative.
Residents Demand Engagement
Community leaders insist that no mining should proceed without dialogue. They are calling for an urgent engagement meeting with authorities and mining companies to address concerns over health risks, displacement, and environmental collapse.
“We cannot be pushed aside for gold. Our voices must be heard before a single machine starts digging,” declared one resident at the meeting.
A Crisis in the Making
As the eviction deadline approaches, Penhalonga stands at a crossroads: either authorities heed calls for consultation and accountability, or risk igniting a humanitarian and environmental disaster in the name of gold.