The appointment of gold dealer and Zanu PF politician Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya to the parliamentary portfolio committee on Mines and Mineral Development is a clear sign of how broken Zimbabwe’s political system has become. This move has shocked the nation and raised serious questions about how far the government will go to protect its own interests, even when it risks damaging the country.
Sakupwanya is not just any politician. He is a gold baron with deep ties to the ruling party and a controversial record in the mining sector, especially in Penhalonga. His mining activities have been linked to serious environmental destruction. Water pollution, land degradation, and community displacement have all been reported in areas connected to his operations. Now, the same man is being trusted to help oversee the country’s entire mining industry.
This is more than a bad decision—it is a serious conflict of interest. The Mines and Mineral Development committee is supposed to protect the country’s resources and make sure that mining companies follow the law. How can a man who is deeply involved in mining be expected to hold other miners accountable? It is like putting a hyena in charge of the goat pen.
Civil society organisations have not stayed quiet. They have raised the alarm, warning that this appointment could destroy any hope of fair oversight in the mining sector. Their message is simple: putting someone like Sakupwanya on this committee makes it harder to stop corruption, harder to protect the environment, and harder to fight for justice in affected communities.
Zimbabwe’s economy depends heavily on mining. It brings in much of the country’s foreign currency and provides jobs to thousands of people. But it has also brought suffering to many, especially in rural communities where mining operations leave behind polluted rivers, broken homes, and abandoned promises. If mining is to help Zimbabwe, it must be managed properly and fairly. That starts with having the right people in charge—not those with personal interests.
Sakupwanya’s appointment also puts Zimbabwe’s international reputation at risk. The country is trying to attract foreign investors to help grow the mining industry. But no serious investor will put money into a country where regulators are seen as part of the problem. Investors want transparency, fairness, and strong institutions. This move sends the opposite message—it says that political loyalty is more important than good governance.
It is also a slap in the face to Zimbabweans who care about justice and the rule of law. People in Penhalonga and other affected areas have suffered under illegal and reckless mining. Instead of helping them, the government has rewarded the very people who caused their pain. This shows a government that does not care about its people, only about protecting those with power and money.
Zimbabwe needs a real change in how it manages its resources. Appointments to key committees like Mines and Mineral Development must be made with integrity. The people chosen must be independent, honest, and committed to serving the public—not their own business interests.
Right now, the country is going in the wrong direction. We cannot afford to hand over our resources to those who only want to profit from them. We must stand up and say no to this kind of corruption. Civil society, opposition parties, and ordinary citizens must continue to raise their voices. If we let this appointment go unchallenged, it will only open the door for more corruption and more abuse.
Zimbabwe’s mining industry can still be a source of hope, but only if it is managed with care and honesty. We must protect our land, our people, and our future. That means demanding better leadership, better oversight, and better decisions from those in power.
Sakupwanya’s appointment is not just a mistake. It is a warning. And if we do not act now, the cost will be too high.