*🗞️High Court Blocks Chinese Mining Company's Expansion into Grazing Land* *FOLLOW THIS CHANNEL👇* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VafsqhK3GJP4zKewiH3u The High Court in Chinhoyi has dealt a significant blow to Labenmon, a Chinese mining company, by issuing an interdict that prohibits it from expanding its operations into a grazing area owned by two villages in Magunje, Hurungwe. Justice Philda Muzofa granted the provisional order two weeks ago, following an urgent application by local villagers who sought to stop Labenmon from setting up a cement plant on 135 hectares of farming and grazing land. Despite the court order, Labenmon has allegedly continued with its operations, defying the directive. The company's representative, Thomas Chidzomba, who claims to be a Zanu-PF provincial member, even went as far as threatening a Mirror journalist for interviewing Chief Nematombo about the issue. "I will come to see you at your offices and deal with you for calling and threatening Chief Nematombo," Chidzomba allegedly said. The affected villagers argue that Labenmon has not compensated or relocated them from their land and have raised concerns over pending Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) investigations by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). The court order declares Labenmon's conduct "unlawful" and prohibits the company from continuing operations pending the outcome of EMA's investigations. Chief Nematombo accused Chief Chanetsa of illegally allocating the land to the Chinese company, leading to pollution concerns at Kemureza Dam. "Chanetsa grabbed villagers' land and allocated it to the Chinese company. There is a lot of pollution taking place in Kemureza Dam. We had hopes that the company would employ our subjects," said Chief Nematombo. The villagers, represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, allege that Labenmon forcefully occupied the land in June 2024 with the assistance of armed police officers. The situation remains tense as villagers await further legal action to enforce the court order against Labenmon's continued operations. –Bulawayo24