Illegal mining at Chumnungwa Ruins, Zimbabwe,1995–1997: Some aspects of community attitudes towards heritage protection

Abstract

Chumnungwa, a zimbabwe site in south-western Zimbabwe, was vandalised between 1995 and 1997 by a mining co-operative which opened a quarry supposedly for the extraction of precious minerals. The co-operative was led by a veteran of Zimbabwe's liberation war, 1965–1980, who claimed ownership of the site as an estate bequeathed to him by deceased ancestors in recognition of his role in Zimbabwe's struggle for independence. National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) condemned the project as a violation of the integrity of a protected archaeological site. Legal action was not possible because this matter was considered to be politically sensitive since it involved a war veteran who purported to be initiating a community based business project. NMMZ's position was further weakened by legislation which may accord mining projects priority over the protection of monuments and relics. A combination of tactful diplomacy and threats of prosecution (not carried out) were used to persuade the war veteran to close the destructive project. Ultimately no legal action was taken and the site was rehabilitated by back-filling the mining holes.