Mr. Shingirai Muchinapo and Ms. Edwick Dzapasi, two small-scale miners in Macheke, Mashonaland East, are involved in court proceedings because of a disagreement over control of potentially profitable gold claims.
Territorial disputes frequently result from artisanal miners fighting for lucrative mining pits in various gold mining localities.
The registered owners of mining claims in Mashonaland East, Mr. Muchinapo and Ms. Dzapasi, are at odds over a matter that has reached the High Court. According to Ms. Dzapasi, Mr. Muchinapo invaded her personal space.
Claims under the Averum 22 block (Registration No. 37918) belong to Ms. Dzapasi, whereas claims under the Chifumbi 2 Mine block (registration No. 1688G) belong to Mr. Muchinapo.
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When Ms. Dzapasi started mining in a territory that Mr. Muchinapo claimed, fighting erupted. The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development handled the case in a way that benefitted Mr. Shingirai Muchinapo. He was told to limit his operations to his registered block since Ms. Dzapasi’s mining activities were considered to be on his land.
But in January of this year, Ministry adjudicator Mr. Godfrey Dadirai reversed his earlier ruling and sent a notice for the termination of Mr. Muchinapo’s mining license. Mr. Muchinapo filed an application for review, which is currently pending under Case Number HCH 319/24, to contest this decision.
He also submitted an application for an interdict to stop Ms. Dzapasi from mining on his land at the same time. Judge Rogers Manyangadze found that there is a good chance of success for the requested interim relief, while also acknowledging the merits of Mr. Muchinapo’s review motion.
The court granted Mr. Muchinapo’s request for an interdict, citing the possible harm to him should mining on the contested claims proceed.
