A fresh storm of corruption allegations has erupted in Mashonaland West, with former Norton MP Themba Mliswa accusing the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, of actively undermining a government-approved river rehabilitation project in order to protect illegal gold mining interests.
According to official correspondence addressed to Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe, and copied to top government and law enforcement authorities, Chombo is allegedly leading a corrupt network of political and police actors, obstructing environmental conservation efforts along the Sanyati River—a critical waterway under ecological threat.
Cubs Den Consolidated, working in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and other stakeholders, was granted legal authority to restore the river system within Rengwe Conservancy. The initiative seeks to combat rampant environmental degradation caused by illegal gold mining, which has damaged ecosystems and displaced wildlife.
However, as the project began preliminary assessments, an unauthorized entity—Leisure Fresh Pvt Ltd—backed by heavy machinery and police protection—moved onto the same site, allegedly under false pretenses of conducting river rehabilitation.
“Despite our lease rights and repeated reports to police, no action has been taken against these illegal encroachers,” wrote Mliswa in a letter dated 14 April 2025.
He says Leisure Fresh has no legitimate documentation, yet continues to operate openly—digging pathways into the river and establishing illegal camps—with apparent police complicity.
The heart of the allegations lies in what Mliswa describes as a well-oiled corruption scheme involving Minister Chombo, senior police officers, and illegal gold dealers. The letter specifically names:
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Assistant Commissioner Tawonei Nyazema (Mashonaland West Police Commander),
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Superintendent Kezias Karuru (Hurungwe District Officer in Command), and
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Minister Marian Chombo herself.
These individuals are accused of working together to facilitate and protect illegal mining operations, including the illegal issuing of river access under the guise of rehabilitation—a responsibility outside their legal jurisdiction.