Senator Chief Chikukwa has raised concern over the issuance of backdated mining certificates, questioning why individuals only emerge with such documents after gold is discovered in an area.
Speaking in response to Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Caleb Makwiranzou, Chief Chikukwa said:“Sei pakaputika gold, Ministry of Mines inouya nevamwe vanhu vane tsamba dziri backdated vachiti ndepavo vakapapihwa kare kare?”
(Why is it that when gold is discovered, the Ministry of Mines shows up with people carrying backdated letters claiming they were allocated the area long ago?)
In response, Deputy Minister Makwiranzou, recently appointed to the portfolio, stated that issuing backdated certificates is illegal. He added that Provincial Mining Directors have a responsibility to prevent such irregularities.
The exchange highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in the allocation of mining claims.
