… faces probe over Mutoko mining claims
STAFF REPORTER
Woes are deepening for mining firm Pulserate Lithium amid growing calls for authorities to investigate allegations that it illegally acquired lithium claims in Mutoko by allegedly using names of senior government officials.
The controversy follows what rivals describe as an unprocedural takeover of lithium-rich claims in the Makosa area of Mutoko, allegedly after Pulserate presented false information before the courts.
A concerned Mutoko resident has since written to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) demanding a full investigation into claims that Pulserate abused the name of senior government officials to circumvent established mining regulations.
The resident warned that such conduct, if left unchecked, risks tarnishing Zimbabwe’s image and undermining investor confidence in the country’s mining sector.
“This kind of conduct sets a dangerous example where the mere mention of senior offices is used to paralyse institutions that are mandated to enforce the law,” the company said.
“It scares away serious investors who rely on certainty of title and the sanctity of official processes.”
According to information contained in the complaint, Pulserate approached Barrington in 2022 seeking to buy its claims.
The proposal was rejected.
“Sometime between May and July 2022, Pulserate Lithium (Pvt) Ltd approached us intending to buy the Good Days Mine claims, but we advised them that the claims were not for sale,” the statement reads.
“A certain Mr Michael Manyere, purporting to represent Pulserate, personally contacted both Mr Andrew Zuze and myself requesting to purchase the claims. We have WhatsApp conversations to that effect.”
It is alleged, however, that Pulserate did not abandon its pursuit of the lithium-rich ground and instead resorted to what the resident describes as “dirty tactics”, ultimately elbowing the company out of its legally held claims through court orders.
“The dispute only arose after Pulserate failed to buy the claims and instead sought to assert ownership through a letter issued under highly questionable circumstances,” reads the statement.
He further alleges that during engagements over the disputed claims, Pulserate repeatedly invoked the names of senior politicians as a means to bypass lawful procedures and fast-track decisions in its favour.
“Pulserate refused to attend dispute hearings, indicating that they had sought the advice of the Office senior officials and would therefore not subject themselves to a provincial resolution process,” the letter states.
“This effectively incapacitated the Provincial Mining Director, who declined to make a determination in the absence of one party.”
Efforts by provincial offices within the Ministry of Mines to resolve the dispute amicably are said to have failed, largely due to Pulserate’s absence from scheduled meetings.
“Efforts by the Ministry provincial offices to call for a dispute resolution between the two parties have failed. In all the three scheduled sittings, Pulserate Lithium (Pvt) Ltd did not turn up despite being invited,” reads part of the letter.
“We were advised that Pulserate Lithium (Pvt) Ltd had written to the Office of somesenior officials complaining of unprocedural acquisition of the claims by Barrington Resources (Pvt) Ltd and were thus not willing to attend a dispute resolution meeting.”
The resident further complained that the dispute stemmed from a controversial confirmation letter issued by the Marondera Provincial Mining Office on April 21, 2022, which it says lies at the centre of the conflict.
“It is this letter dated 21 April 2022 that is the source of all the trouble in this saga,” the statement reads.
“The letter was issued on the same day the request was made, without any physical verification of the ground as is standard practice.”
The letter relied on altered registration documents, resulting in the shifting of coordinates by hundreds of metres, thereby creating an artificial overlap with its long-established Good Days claims.
“A closer inspection of the docket reveals blatant alteration of official records. The coordinates were shifted by nearly 500 to 600 metres, effectively encroaching into our registered claims,” the company said.
“Subjected to a proper investigation, this fraud can be proved beyond reasonable doubt.”
Barrington argued that the provincial office had both the authority and responsibility to withdraw the disputed letter and conduct a proper verification exercise but failed to do so.
“This was a dispute created at the Marondera office and should have been resolved there,” reads the statement.
“Instead, the office advised us to seek recourse at the High Court after appearing awed by the mere mention of the Office of senior officials.
Barrington’s representatives have now urged authorities to act decisively, warning that failure to address the matter could have serious repercussions for the national economy.
“The element of criminal conduct in trying to wrestle Good Days Mine from Barrington and sanitising it with dubious court judgements is apparent for everyone to see,” the letter states.
“If this is allowed to continue, it will set a dangerous precedent for the rule of law, the preservation of mining title rights and the Zimbabwean economy at large,” it adds.
“As a matter of urgency, the Ministry of Mines must rescind that letter and resolve the dispute involving the contested ground.”
