Farmer-miner disputes in Gwanda

The government has been urged to address farmer –miner land disputes in Gwanda as the continued clashes are impacting negatively on production of the two key economic sectors.

Cde Rido Mpofu of plot 5 ,Exchange farm Southhill Ranch in Gwanda is among the many farmers whose agricultural activities have been affected , after the ministry of mines allocated one Ms Landa a claim within his 500 hectare piece of land .

The farm has also been invaded by gold panners whose activities have resulted in Cde Mpofu losing 16 beasts after they fell into open pits.

Cde Mpofu says the conflict between himself and the gold claim owner has forced him to take the legal route as he is unable to implement developmental projects on the farm.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture ,Water ,Climate and Rural Resettlement said given the impact of some mining activities on crop and livestock production ,there is need for the government to find ways of balancing the two economic activities, sentiments also echoed by Gwanda United Small Scale Miners Association .