PYD NEWS FLASH-CHISUMBANJE

Despite the prevailing sombre atmosphere as the people of Chisumbanje are battling to adjust to the tragic loss of Noel Mundeta (Chipinge District Administrator),a provocation is brewing.

Early this morning 21/06/12 flyers have been distributed urging the residents of Chisumbanje to support the reopening of the Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant unconditionally. Not only that, a group of unidentified individuals have been visiting traditional leadership overnight threatening them with death if their subjects would dare oppose the reopening of the plant. Workers at the plant have been couched on how to speak in support of the project. As you read, those patronised employees are being carried by the company buses to the venue of the meeting in Chisumbanje. Many unknowing and uninformed members of the community have been promised heaven on earth if they are able to speak in favour of the reopening.

The meeting which is expected to be attended by Minister of Agriculture Joseph Made, Minister of Energy Elton Mangoma and other government delegation is expected start at 1000hrs at Chisumbanje primary school. The flyers are emanating from the offices of the investor. This is clearly provocative as it undermines the objective discussion that is supposed to take place at the planned meeting. We are no longer confident if the views of the community will be respected. Barely on Saturday the 16th of June 2012, had over 2 500 people in Chisumbanje clearly articulated their recorded worries against the reopening.

PYD position is clear. The people of Chipinge should be given respect and their worries attended to before the plant reopens. We demand the consideration of employment to the locals, we demand that the Investor be guided by a well published and communicated Memorandum of Understanding, We demand a clear boundary resolution between the investor and the people of Chisumbanje. All these demands should be the basis of discussion and agreements.

The problem created by the investor and partners is to abuse people who are non resident in Chisumbanje to speak. We are concerned that people who are uninformed and unpatriotic are being given space to decide on this controversy. We condemn the intimidation of traditional leadership, who are being coerced to unilaterally support oppression and displacement of their subjects.

This meeting today should have been postponed to allow the people of Chisumbanje to mourn their late D.A Noel Mundeta.People of Chipinge deserve respect.
We are sure the voice of people in Chisumbanje will prevail and be heard.

Inserted by PYD Information Department