BULAWAYO residents have challenged their council to be tough on sand poachers who are leaving unclaimed pits, causing environmental degradation as well as siltation of the city’s supply dams.
Unclaimed pits are scattered all over Bulawayo with most of them in Pumula, Luveve, Nkulumane, Cowdray Park and Entumbane.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) municipal police have been policing Lower Ncema for years, but seem to be losing the fight against the sand poachers and gold panners operating in the Lower Ncema dam catchment area.
Councillors have previously warned that the activities of gold panners and sand poachers if left unchecked would result in the dam being decommissioned earlier than anticipated.
Bulawayo United Residents Association chairperson Winos Dube called for urgent action against the sand poachers and gold panners saying: “Sand poaching looks to be on the rise because there is so much construction happening around. People are building houses and sand poachers are seeing business,” Dube said, while also urging council to include selling sand to widen its revenue streams.
“Council must find a way of providing sand to the people because the city is growing. Council should also take advantage of this and have a designated place where it actually makes sure it allows people to access sand for any construction that is happening.”
Mayor David Coltart confirmed receiving complaints from residents about sand poachers.
“I am aware of that. It is a massive problem. We are powerless without the police and Environmental Management Agency,” Coltart said.
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“We clearly need a lot more publicity regarding the problem and public outrage.”
Council recently impounded some equipment and vehicles belonging to sand poachers who were arrested during raids.
The council said extended patrols were conducted within Greater Bulawayo where new invasions by sand poachers were reported at Emhlangeni.
