GWANDA City Fathers are concerned about the invasion of Spitzkop North and Monerf
houses by gold panners, who are brazenly conducting their activities during broad day light.
Last week, gold panners flocked to the township, where they started using metal detectors to
detect for the precious metal along the recently constructed road while on the other side the
contractor was busy carrying out roadworks.
Ward 9 Councillor Thulani Moyo was quick to comment on the issue saying it is now a free-
for-all as people are now doing whatever they feel like doing under the watch of law
enforcement and security agents.
“This is sickening. People are panning for gold in residential areas without fear. Where is the
police and Government departments such as Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and
Ministry of Mines and Mining Development?
“I smell a rat because this is happening during day time in the glare of everyone. Have the
gold panners become the law unto themselves?
“If this goes on uncontrolled, mark my works residents will be displaced from their houses to
give way to the gold panners to do as they please,” said Cllr Moyo in an outburst.
Reacting to Cllr Moyo’s comments, EMA provincial manager, Decent Ndlovu said, what is
disturbing is to get such information from social media yet there are proper communication
channels.
“We are not prophets to tell what is happening everywhere, even at night. Why delay in
reporting such dangerous activities. I will respond after making a thorough assessment of
these illegal activities,” explained Ndlovu.
One of the concerned residents said: “What boggles our minds is that these people are
coming with their children strapped on their backs meaning that they are not afraid of
anything but a clear sign that they are above the law.
“It once happened at Matekenya area, where gold panners played cat and mouse with police
only to see a Government vehicle carrying gold ore during day time,” said a resident, who
declined to be identified for fear of victimisation.
“Inkinga ye Golide yikuthi lilezinkulu zi phakathi, laye uMoyo enje uyakwazi ukuthi
ukuyilonda indaba enje singakutshiya utshe izandla. (The problem with gold is that it
involves big fish who might leave you with burnt fingers if you are not careful and the
Councillor is fully aware of this,” he explained.
Another concerned resident said a similar incident happened at Mzingwane and the panners
were removed while they were contained and order was restored, “then what is so special
about these ones who are panning at our houses?
“This is not only bad for the environment but people’s lives as well.”
The Provincial Mines and Mining Development Director, Khumbulani Mlangeni, said they
had not yet received a report.
We did not get such a report, any mining within municipal boundary is illegal. If we get
such a report we request the ZRP to ensure the law is upheld."
Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena, said
Police reacted to the incident and are closely monitoring the activity.
“Having received the report we immediately deployed a team from Fairbridge Support Unit
under Operation Isitsheketsha sesiphelile, Gwanda Urban Cycle Unit and Duty Uniformed
Branch.
“However, when these makorokoza realised that they were being raided by police during the
day they then started operating during the night.
“To counter them, we are now patrolling during day and night and the situation has since
improved.”
