The Sunday News
OWNERSHP and utilisation of natural resources have often sparked conflicts in communities with locals crying foul that they hardly benefit from the resources.
There is a sea of poverty in most communities where natural resources such as timber and gold are plenty, and in many cases untapped. Bubi in Matabeleland North is endowed with vast mineral deposits ranging from gold, lime, nickel and copper.
In Bubi district’s Ward 19 that covers Kenilworth, grass is fast emerging as a new conflict frontier between local and grass “hunters” from neighbouring areas. Unregulated broom grass harvesters and tree fellers have invaded the area in search of the product for resale in urban areas.
There is high demand for boom grass in urban and resort areas where they are sold at lucrative prices. A bale of grass is sold at US$6. Sickles, axes, and machetes for harvesting which are classified as dangerous weapons by the police are preferred “tools of trade” for illegal boom grass harvesters and tree fellers.
Habakkuk Trust, a civic non-governmental organisation operating in Matabeleland provinces says “premature harvesting of broom grass, rampant cutting down of trees, and illegal harvesting without authorization from Bubi Rural District Council is brewing conflict between locals and non-locals”.
The local community feels it is being “deprived of revenue through illegal harvesting of their resources” Habakkuk Trust says.
According to the organisation, the Kenilworth community has expressed anger over the wanton harvesting of locally available natural resources by villagers from neighbouring districts. — The Citizen Bulletin
