Environmental Rights Monitoring in Conflict Hotspot Areas: A Case of Zvishavane Mining Community

Abstract

The study looked at the monitoring of environmental rights in conflict hotspot areas focusing on Zvishavane mining community. The thrust of the study was on linking resource-based conflict and environmental rights violation of individuals and groups in mineral rich communities and assessing patterns of environmental rights violations. Furthermore, the study looked at environmental rights monitoring and documentation procedures taken by different stakeholders operating in mineral rich communities and human rights-based advocacy strategies used by human rights monitoring agents in conflict prone areas. The study used mixed methods which combined elements of qualitative and quantitative research approaches for the purposes of breath and depth of understanding and corroboration. Questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant and observations were used as data collection methods. The study used the theoretical refence of Ecological Marxism which explains the ecologically destructive tendencies of capitalism. This explanation is built on what is referred to as the contradictions of capitalism by Marxists. In the case of ecological destruction, the contradiction lies in the tendency for capital to destroy nature as part of the process of expanding capitalism. The data was analyzed using themes and numerical valuations to understand causality whereas the findings were presented in a manner that responded to the research questions. The key findings of the research highlight that major conflicts are between local communities and mining companies. Medium scale miners were identified through the study as mostly in conflict with the local authorities and conflicts that exist in the communities were as a result of threatened livelihood. The study also identified that contributing factors to environmental rights violations in the communities include environmental degradation, dust, noise from blasting, disposal of dangerous materials and contamination of water bodies. These factors have led to environments that are insecure for human survival and consequently environmental degradation has had negative effect on livelihoods, health and security of people and animals. The major identified reason for the violations was lack of adherence to environmental regulations stipulated in the Environmental Management Agency Act and the Zimbabwean Constitution. The study also found that nonstate entities were more active in monitoring environmental rights than state entities. The non-state entities were further involved in building capacity of community-based monitoring structures. The main challenges to monitor environmental rights were identified as lack of adequate resources, negative political influence and technical capacity. The engagement and advocacy strategies for promotion and protection of environmental rights were identified to be heavily reliant on the work of non-state actors. The study, therefore, recommended that there must be early warning systems for environmental rights violations in conflict hotbeds. A proper registration should be followed by miners with local authorities given adequate power to influence the process. Communities should be engaged by mining companies as they are the ones who bear the brunt of environmental degradation. Environmental rights monitoring institutions should be well capacitated to effectively do their work.