Coal mining company Makomo Resources is alleged to have grabbed 19 000 hectares of coal mining concessions in Hwange from Zambezi Gas. This was revealed during a hearing of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy. Makomo Resources is alleged to be owned by Minister of Home Affairs and Culture, Obert Mpofu.
Temba Mliswa, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee said,
Around 19 000 hectares of the Zambezi Gas portion was explored, but after exploration, it went to Makomo Resources and Zambezi Gas was left with a portion which was unexplored. Makomo Resources allegedly belongs to Mpofu and information that we have as a committee is that he used his powers to cut the Zambezi Gas concession to give it to Makomo Resources.
However, Linos Masimura the deputy director of Zambezi Gas could not confirm the allegation, preferring to say
Indeed there is a dispute over 19 000 hectares of explored land which went to Makomo Resources. However, it could be speculation that Mpofu owns Makomo Resources. I think it is an issue which needs further investigations by the Mines Committee.
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