BOTEREKWA IS BLEEDING WHILE THE PRESIDENT’S SON GETxS RICH

The once-beautiful Boterekwa escarpment in Shurugwi is now a scene of destruction and sorrow. What used to be one of Zimbabwe’s most scenic and peaceful places has become a wasteland, thanks to the mining operations led by Collins Mnangagwa, the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Instead of protecting the land, the powerful have turned it into a personal gold mine, destroying everything in their path.

Collins Mnangagwa, also known as Takunda, is the chairman of Chengxi Mining (Pvt) Ltd, the company responsible for this damage. For over three years, his company has dug deep into Boterekwa’s hills and valleys, tearing apart the land that once made Wolfshall Pass famous. The green landscape has been replaced by gaping holes, open pits, and trenches. The air smells of poison, and the streams that once flowed with clean water are now filled with toxic chemicals like cyanide.

This destruction has come with great riches—for Collins. Since his father took power in 2017, Collins’ life has changed completely. He now lives in a luxurious mansion in Harare and travels frequently to China, where he is involved in business deals. But while he enjoys wealth and comfort, the people of Shurugwi are left to deal with the environmental disaster his company has caused.

The water in the area is now dangerous. Streams that once provided safe drinking water are polluted, killing plants, animals, and putting human health at risk. The noise from mining machines is constant. Dust hangs in the air. And now, illegal gold panners have joined the chaos, digging wherever they can. They are trying to survive, but their actions only add to the destruction.

What’s worse, it seems the government does not care. President Mnangagwa often drives through this area. He sees the damage but says nothing. He does nothing. People are angry. They see the destruction and feel helpless. The rules meant to protect the environment are being ignored. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) only gave permission for small-scale shaft mining. But Collins’ company is doing large open-pit mining instead—illegally. And still, no one is stopping them.

Chengxi Mining has not just destroyed the land—it has bought silence. The company gives gifts to local chiefs and officials, keeping them quiet. Ministers like Owen “Mudha” Ncube openly support Collins. The link between politics and business is clear. ZANU PF is deeply involved, making it almost impossible for anyone to speak out.

This story is not unique. Across Zimbabwe, powerful people are grabbing land and minerals, leaving communities in ruin. The resources that should help every Zimbabwean are instead making a few people rich. Collins Mnangagwa is just one of many looting under the protection of the presidency.

Local leaders like Chief Nhema are calling for stronger rules. But how can rules be enforced when the people breaking them are protected by power? The law is not the same for everyone in Zimbabwe. If your last name is Mnangagwa, you can do whatever you want.

Boterekwa should be a place of pride. A place for future generations to enjoy. But now it is a scar on the land. The trees are gone. The water is poisoned. The land is bleeding. And yet, the looting continues.

Zimbabweans must ask: how long will this go on? How long will the powerful steal and destroy, while the people watch in silence? If we say nothing today, there will be nothing left tomorrow. No water. No clean land. No future.

The people of Shurugwi deserve better. Zimbabwe deserves better. Boterekwa is not just a piece of land. It is a symbol of what happens when greed, corruption, and power go unchecked. We must speak. We must resist. We must fight to save what is left—before everything is lost.