OPC Nullifies Provincial River Deals, Orders Crackdown on Illegal Mining

The Office of the President and Cabinet has voided provincial river-rehabilitation deals, ordered a crackdown on illegal mining, and directed enforcement of SI 188 of 2024 nationwide (image source)

HARARE — The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has ordered all provinces to immediately enforce Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024, effectively cancelling controversial private river-rehabilitation agreements and tightening control over alluvial mining operations.

In a directive to Secretaries for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, the OPC declared that existing agreements between provincial authorities and private river-rehabilitation companies are null and void, stating that SI 188 does not permit such contracts without explicit Cabinet approval. Provinces have been instructed to terminate the arrangements with immediate effect.

The directive outlines enforcement measures that include the arrest and removal of illegal miners, confiscation of equipment and the establishment of an Interministerial Committee to coordinate river-rehabilitation efforts nationwide. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) will lead pilot rehabilitation projects, after which provinces may form Provincial River Rehabilitation Committees — but only with Cabinet authorisation.

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Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Manicaland have been specifically instructed to submit reports detailing how and why private contractors were appointed. Deadlines for submission range between 23 and 26 February 2026.

The move follows controversy surrounding Prevail Group of Companies, owned by businessman Paul Tungwarara, which reportedly secured exclusive river-rehabilitation rights in Mazowe. The development is seen as a significant setback for Tungwarara, who has recently attracted political attention after publicly criticising senior ZANU-PF figures and alleging that some party financiers were positioning themselves for post-Mnangagwa leadership dynamics.

Tungwarara’s public rallies in Manicaland, where he distributed cash through an Empowerment Fund, were criticised by party officials as divisive. ZANU-PF Youth League representatives Taurai Kandishaya and Tino Machakaire described his remarks as inflammatory and damaging to party unity.