Families relocated to Arda Transau by Anjin Diamond Mining are facing starvation, according to The Chiadzwa Community Development Trust.
Anjin last gave each family 100kg mealie meal, 10 litres cooking oil, 10kg beans, 6kg salt and four bars of soap in October 2012 - despite the fact that the mining companies agreed to give food to relocated families every three months until they are given land for cultivation.
This has still not happened and one of the families told CCDT they had been surviving on pumpkins. Since 2011, Anjin has relocated more than 800 families to Arda Transau to pave way for its diamond mining operations.
When contacted for comment, Lindiwe Ngwenya, Anjin’s Human Resources Manager, said the information provided by CCDT was incorrect, before hanging up.
There are also reports of a possible anthrax outbreak in the Marange area. “Cattle have been dying during the past months,” stated the human rights watchdog.