Goodness and Mercy Ministries founder, Prophet T Freddy has approached the courts seeking an order barring Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) colonel, Richard Mapanda from invading his mine in Mazowe.
In papers submitted as part of his application at the High Court, Prophet T Freddy alleges that colonel Richard Mapanda invaded his mine with a loaded pistol and threatened to shoot his workers who were manning the premises. The popular man of cloth argues that he is the legitimate owner of Lazania Gold Mine and is in possession of a license and mining certificates to prove it. In order to make a strong case, Prophet T Freddy attached the papers as part of the High Court application.
Through his lawyer Jivas Mudimu of Mudimu law chambers, T Freddy said his company has gone through all the required processes for registration and an Environmental Impact Assessment was carried out. He said all this was done with colonel Mapanda’s full knowledge and he did not raise any objections then.
Part of Prophet T Freddy’s application as seen by 263Chat reads:
Despite all this effort which Applicant did which was at the knowledge of the 1st Respondent, he never objected, now that the applicant started its operation the 1st respondent is now disrupting the operations of the mine using force and threats. The Applicant efforts to stop the 1st respondent has proved to be abortive with fears that more confrontational approach will lead to violence. The Likelihood that the 1st respondent would unleash terror on the Applicant’s members is not imagined one since he came with a gun, and promised to shot anyone who comes back to the mine.
Prophet T Freddy said the colonel’s actions had left him with no choice but to approach the courts for recourse. He said the matter was urgent as Colonel Mapanda had chased away all his workers and as a consequence operations at the mine ceased.
Provincial Mining director Mashonaland East Province is cited as the second respondent. Colonel Mapanda was unavailable for comment at the time of publishing.
