By Tonderai Saharo, News Editor
Centre News Hub
MWENEZI — In a major show of regional solidarity, Mwenezi Rural District Council has provided new homes for at least 100 families displaced by the expansion of Sandawana Gold Mine in neighbouring Mberengwa District.
The relocation marks a new chapter for communities uprooted by mining operations along the porous border between Mwenezi and Mberengwa in the Midlands.
Mining Growth Triggers Displacement
Sandawana Mine has scaled up operations significantly, bringing vital economic prospects to the region.
However, the expansion encroached on villages, leaving dozens of households and business operators searching for secure land to rebuild their lives.
Rather than leaving the affected families in limbo, Mwenezi RDC moved swiftly to secure land and services for them.
Land Secured, Infrastructure Underway
Mwenezi RDC Chief Executive Officer Mr. Albert Ndhlovu Chivanga said the council has already identified a vast tract of virgin land for the displaced families.
“We have already identified the land where the affected will be resettled. The area is already being serviced with proper road networks, and we are also servicing stands where they will put up their business centre,” Chivanga said.
A key priority has been protecting livelihoods. Chivanga noted that many of those affected in Mberengwa were business people who faced losing their income.
By integrating commercial stands and dedicated infrastructure into the new settlement plan, Mwenezi has ensured entrepreneurs can transition and continue operations without disruption.
“Open for Business” Approach
Chivanga said the relocation reflects the district’s broader governance philosophy of being “open for business.”
“By turning a potential humanitarian challenge into an opportunity for structured, modern community development, we have proven that industrial progress and community welfare can go hand in hand,” he said.
New Start for Displaced Families
As new roads take shape and foundations are laid on serviced stands, the relocated families from Mberengwa can now look to the future with renewed optimism.
Mwenezi has not only provided them with land — it has offered them a fully supported environment to build homes and businesses and call their own
