BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) rangers have roped in the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in an operation to stop illegal mining activities in the Umzingwane River catchment area, which has resulted in 201 illegal gold panners being arrested.
The illegal gold miners were causing environmental damage and siltation of dams, which affected the water holding capacity of the city’s supply dams.
Some of Bulawayo’s supply dams affected by siltation as a result of illegal mining activities are Umzingwane, Lower Ncema, Upper Ncema, Inyankuni, Insiza and Mtshabezi. They are all in Matabeleland South province.
Of late, there has been an upsurge in gold panning activities along the rivers feeding these supply dams, thereby reducing their holding capacity.
Latest council minutes state that the director of housing and community services Dictor Khumalo raised concerns over environmental violations happening in Bulawayo.
"On the degradation in Greater Bulawayo and water catchment areas, joint patrols were conducted in the areas by rangers and police. A total of 140 hand tools and three detector machines were confiscated and handed over to Esigodini police as exhibits," the minutes read.
"Twenty illegal gold panners were handed over to Esigodini courts for prosecution. A total of 201 illegal gold panners were arrested throughout the year 2022."
With regards to mineral and sand extraction in Bulawayo, the minutes stated that two stakeholder meetings were held to discuss the welfare of donkeys and another one was conducted on the Hualin Quarry Mine in Pumula North.
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"During the patrols, a total of 59 tickets were issued to various offenders. Twenty-six tickets had already been cleared and a sum of US$1 802,37 was realised. A total of 33 tickets were still outstanding with a value of US$15 980,27. Patrols were conducted in both the eastern and western areas of the city.
"A total of 14 truckloads were recorded at the two designated pitsand sites, and a total US$230 was realised from the sales. Illegal cultivation was now rampant as the rainy season continued. Slashing of maize was conducted at Nketa Park and Luveve Gum Plantation to curb the invasion of protected areas by illegal cultivators."
