Mohadi Orders Miners to Fix Damaged Roads

Vice President Kembo Mohadi has ordered mining companies in Matabeleland South to repair roads damaged by their operations, as reported by the Daily News, in a bid to enforce accountability and protect community interests. The directive targets firms that have degraded infrastructure without compensation or proper maintenance agreements, forcing communities to bear the cost of repairs and endure poor road conditions. Miners have clashed with local communities over road conditions, with some arguing that taxes already cover maintenance costs and that the order is unfair and punitive, while others support the move. The government has struggled to enforce compliance due to weak regulatory oversight and political connections that shield companies from penalties and accountability, undermining the directive's effectiveness. The core vulnerability is the regulatory gap that allows extractive industries to externalize infrastructure costs, leaving communities to bear the burden and suffer from poor road conditions.