By: The Herald online

A Bindura woman has approached the High Court on an urgent basis seeking to halt mining operations at Kitsiyatota, arguing that escalating violence, alleged illegal activities and environmental violations have turned the gold-rich area into a danger zone for surrounding communities.

Environmental advocate Ms Heather Anesu Mahureva has filed a series of urgent chamber applications at the High Court in Harare, seeking to stop mining activities at Mining Lease 21 and to be joined as an interested party in ongoing litigation involving several mining companies.

In her filings, Ms Mahureva cites serious safety concerns, claiming that disputes among rival mining groups have led to violent clashes, while some operators are allegedly conducting mining activities without the legally required environmental approvals.

In one of the applications (Case No. HCH 1377/26), she is seeking joinder in a matter involving Capegem Mining and Blacksand Mining, among others.

The case relates to ongoing proceedings (HCH 1326/26) in which the companies are seeking leave to execute an earlier High Court order (HCH 775/26) restoring their possession of part of Mining Lease 21.

Mahureva argues that, as an affected resident with constitutionally protected environmental rights, she should be included in the proceedings to prevent the court from granting orders that may facilitate what she describes as unlawful mining operations.

In a separate urgent application (Case No. HCH 1361/26), she is also seeking to be joined in a matter involving Side Electrical, trading as Botha Mine.

That case (HCH 1187/26) relates to an application for leave to execute another earlier order (HCH 653/26) to regain possession of part of the same lease area.

Across both matters, Mahureva contends that the court must first determine whether the mining activities comply with environmental laws — particularly the requirement for a valid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate — before allowing operations to proceed.

At the centre of the dispute is a High Court spoliation order granted on March 2, 2026, which restored possession of parts of the mining area to Side Electrical.

However, Ms Mahureva argues that the order was granted without full disclosure that the mining operations allegedly lack a valid EIA certificate, a mandatory legal requirement before any mining activity can commence.

Her legal action was triggered by a violent incident on March 12, when gunshots reportedly rang out during an all-night church prayer near the mining site as suspected illegal miners clashed.

According to her affidavit, the situation caused panic among worshippers and highlighted the growing insecurity in the area.

She says subsequent investigations revealed ongoing disputes among mining operators, some of whom are allegedly operating without environmental clearance, fuelling repeated confrontations.

The High Court is now dealing with multiple, overlapping urgent applications arising from the same dispute.

These include applications to halt mining operations pending compliance with environmental laws, as well as requests for joinder to allow Ms Mahureva to participate in proceedings where mining companies are seeking to enforce earlier court orders.