Residents of Norton have expressed concerns about plans by Sunny Yi Feng, one of the largest tile manufacturers in Southern Africa, to build a 210MW thermal power station in their area.
Earlier this month, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) announced that Sunny Yi Feng had applied to install a 20MW solar plant at its factory.
However, the company needs more power than the solar plant can provide, which is why it plans to build a much larger 210MW thermal power station. This plan has faced opposition from local residents.
Sunny Yi Feng produces over 35,000 square metres of tiles and 40,000 pieces of kitchenware daily, serving both local and international markets.
To address Zimbabwe’s unreliable power supply, the company wants to generate its own electricity.
However, Sunny Yi Feng’s proposal has faced resistance in other areas as well, such as its plan to mine coal in the Sinamatella area of Hwange National Park. Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has opposed the mining proposal.
A report by a consultant hired by Sunny Yi Feng found that Norton residents are concerned about the environmental impact, especially air pollution from burning coal.
They worry that emissions could lead to respiratory diseases, cancer, and other health issues. There’s also concern that pollution could affect nearby water bodies, including Lake Chivero and Darwendale Dam.
Sunny Yi Feng, through its energy arm Sunny Jin Long Energy, insists that it has the technology to manage these risks.
The company plans to use emission control systems, and dust filters, and repurpose fly ash from coal as a material for making cement.
Despite these assurances, local residents are questioning why the company is opting for coal instead of renewable energy sources.
Sunny Yi Feng says it doesn’t have enough space for a large solar plant because generating 210MW from solar would need around 1,000 hectares, but the company only has 29 hectares available.
The company also claims that hydropower isn’t a viable option due to a lack of water in the area. They argue that coal-fired power is a more reliable option because it can provide continuous power, unlike solar and wind, which depend on weather conditions.
More: <a href="https://newzwire.live/green-vs-black-after-hwange-norton-residents-resist-tile-giants-coal-power-plant/">newZWire</a>

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Residents in Norton are worried about a big company building a coal power plant in their area. The company, Sunny Yi Feng, wants to make its own electricity because there are power shortages in Zimbabwe. But people are concerned about pollution from burning coal and how it can harm their health and water. The company says they have ways to control pollution, but residents wonder why they don't use renewable energy like solar instead of coal. Sunny Yi Feng says they don't have enough space for solar or water for hydropower, so coal is the best option for reliable power.

Norton Residents Resist Sunny Yi Feng's 210MW Coal Power Plant Plans

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, called on miners to avoid Hwange National Park and instead extract coal from other areas of Matabeleland North Province, where it is plentiful.
This follows a proposal by the Chinese company Sunny Yi Feng to launch a coal mining project in Sinamatella, a part of Hwange National Park. 
Sinamatella is a critical habitat for black rhinos and supports a growing population of this endangered species.
During a parliamentary session on tourism, Mudenda urged coal miners to focus on untapped coal deposits in Binga, leaving Hwange National Park undisturbed. He said:
<blockquote>
I will not subscribe to mining in national parks. The place that has been identified for mining purposes is not the only location where coal can be found.
We have coal in the southern part of Binga, as well as in the southeast and southwest of Binga—still virgin land with plenty of coal deposits.
Why disturb the ecology of the animals there?
</blockquote>
Bhejane Trust, a non-profit wildlife conservation organisation based in Victoria Falls, recently warned that the effects of coal mining in Sinamatella would extend beyond wildlife. 
The organisation said that tourism in the area would suffer, leading to the closure of tourist camps, loss of business, and damage to the park’s infrastructure.
The Trust also expressed concerns that mining operations would likely result in severe water pollution, destruction of infrastructure, and social issues such as prostitution, with little to no benefit for the country.
Such activities would disrupt the park’s ecosystem, threaten biodiversity, and severely impact wildlife habitats, particularly those of black rhinos.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has also called on the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to reject Sunny Yi Feng’s application to prospect for coal in Sinamatella, citing concerns that mining would increase the risk of species extinction and hinder the recovery of animal populations.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, says miners should not mine in Hwange National Park. Chinese company Sunny Yi Feng wants to mine coal in the park, but it's home to black rhinos that need protection. Mudenda wants miners to go to other areas in Matabeleland North where there is plenty of coal. Bhejane Trust warns that mining in the park will hurt tourism and wildlife. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority also says mining in the park should be stopped to protect endangered species.

Mudenda Condemns Sunny Yi Feng's Proposal To Prospect For Coal In Sinamatella

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has urged the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to cancel Sunny Yi Feng’s application to prospect for coal in the Sinamatella area of Hwange National Park. ZimParks argues that the area is a critical habitat for the endangered black rhino.
In a statement issued this Thursday, 06 March, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said mining activities would increase the risk of species extinction and negatively affect population recovery. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) urges the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to cancel the application for an exclusive prospection of mining activities in Hwange National Park, specifically targeting the Sinamatella Black Rhino Intensive Protection Zone and never to entertain such applications in future.
This area is a critical habitat for black rhinos and currently supports a growing population of this endangered species, which is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Appendix 1.
Needless to mention that the proposed mining project will actually increase the risk of species extinction and prospects of population recovery will be negatively affected.
The proposed mining project poses a significant threat, worsening the degradation of land, a critical concern for ZimParks, which has a mandate to ensure that at least 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and ecosystems are restored by 2030.
While we have made substantial progress in reviving wildlife populations across the nation, the introduction of mining activities in this vital area would undermine ecological conditions essential for wildlife survival and reproduction. This compromise will hinder our ongoing efforts to maintain and restore healthy populations of wildlife.
Approving mining in this zone would not only contradict ZimParks’ conservation mandate but also tarnish Zimbabwe’s reputation regionally and internationally as a world leader in sustainable conservation.
It is important to note that tourism is a major revenue generator for the country and our operations significantly rely on the revenue generated from tourism through leased concessions; thus, any mining operations introduced could adversely affect our ability to deliver quality experiences for tourists.
Furthermore, mining activities are known to create air, noise, and land pollution, which detrimentally impact visitor experiences and disrupt wildlife movement, not mentioning the increased cases of poaching.
Sinamatela is home to the Bumbusi ruins which hold historical and cultural significance for the Nambian-speaking communities dating back to the 18th century.
Traditional leaders from the region visit the area annually to conduct cultural rituals and rain-making ceremonies.
Hwange National Park is home to Africa’s second-largest elephant population, and mining may interfere with the flow of groundwater, threatening vital water sources relied upon by our wildlife.
This disruption can worsen existing water shortages, leading to increased mortality rates in species and heightened human-wildlife conflict in surrounding communities.
We will continue to advocate for the safeguarding of critical wildlife habitats and uphold our commitment to conservation for the benefit of all Zimbabweans and future generations.
</blockquote>

ZimParks wants government to stop mining in Sinamatella to protect rhinos and other animals. They say mining will harm wildlife, land, and water sources. It will also affect tourism and cultural sites. ZimParks wants to restore habitats for animals and ensure their survival. They don't want mining to ruin the progress they've made in saving wildlife. They also mention the importance of tourism revenue for the country. They are against mining in sensitive areas and want to protect the environment for future generations.

ZimParks Calls For Cancellation Of Sinamatella Mining Application To Protect Wildlife Habitat

Two police officers based in Norton were arrested by their colleagues with the assistance of workers at Sunny Yifeng as they attempted to evade capture shortly after accepting a US$5,000 bribe from the company.
Sunny Yifeng is a Chinese-owned tile manufacturer situated along the Harare-Bulawayo highway, just outside Norton.
As reported by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/drama-as-cops-caught-with-bribe-money-at-chinese-tile-manufacturer/">ZimLive</a>, the officers, Patrick Kwashira and Tangai Matomati, both residents of Norton, appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova on Thursday, facing charges of extortion. They were subsequently remanded out of custody on US$200 bail each.
According to prosecutors, Matomati was the investigating officer in an assault case involving one Tapfuma Nyahonda, who had filed a complaint against Hou Zesong, Methew Mapfumo, Patience Zinyimo, and Brit Mutatsi.
The court heard that Nyahonda later withdrew the assault charges against the four individuals.
It is alleged that Matomati got information that Nyahonda withdrew his case of assault without their knowledge. Prosecutors said:
<blockquote>
Accused persons then notified their officer-in-charge about the incident alleging that Tapfuma Nyahonde supplied false information that he was assaulted by Hou Zesong, Methew Mapfumo, Patience Zinyimo and Brit Mutatsi.
Officer-in-Charge instructed accused persons to open a docket and investigate the matter against Tapfuma Nyahonda.
Accused persons then took advantage of the docket and communicated using cell phone numbers 0775630250 and 0779338288 with Sunny Yifeng Tiles Zimbabwe Company demanding US$5,000 alleging that its employees Terrify Taruvinga and Wang- Xioa-Jin had forced Tapfuma Nyahonda to withdraw an assault case which accused persons were handling.
</blockquote>
A trap was set by the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Internal Investigations unit to catch the two accused officers.
They were invited to the premises of Sunny Yifeng Tiles Zimbabwe Company to collect the bribe money they had demanded.
It is alleged that Taruvinga handed over the bribe to Kwashira in the presence of Matomati in one of the company’s offices, where the pair had been escorted.
As they were leaving the office, ZRP Internal Investigations officers intercepted them, catching Kwashira red-handed with the bribe money.
In the chaos, Matomati managed to flee, while Kwashira dropped the bribe money, a CZ pistol magazine loaded with nine rounds, and his personal belongings before attempting to escape.
He was ultimately apprehended with the assistance of employees from Sunny Yifeng Tiles Zimbabwe Company.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Summary: Two police officers were caught accepting a US$5,000 bribe from a Chinese-owned company in Norton. The officers, Patrick Kwashira and Tangai Matomati, were arrested by their colleagues after being caught in the act. Matomati was investigating an assault case but took advantage of it to demand money from the company, claiming they influenced the case. The officers were caught red-handed and one tried to escape, but was eventually apprehended. They now face charges of extortion and have been released on bail.

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