Harare, (New Ziana) – Eight illegal gold panners have been sentenced to two years imprisonment each by the Mutare magistrates’ Court for illegal gold prospecting in Penhalonga on the outskirts of the eastern border city.

The eight were convicted of prospecting for the precious mineral at Plot 05, Premier Central in Penhalonga without a licence.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said Benny (35), Culbert (32), Simbarashe (24), Wonderful (30), Raymond (22) and Cuthbert Nyakunu (31), along with Moreblessing Kanzou (20) and Robert Mapfunde (30) were caught in possession of mining tools, including a windlass, machete, shovel, wheelbarrow and 18x50kg sacks of suspected gold ore.

Meanwhile, Craig Chopamba (23) of Chopamba Village, Siakobvu, Kariba was fined US$100 and ordered to pay US$8 000 in compensation to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority for illegally hunting and killing a buffalo without a permit.

On 2 October 2023, authorities acted on a tip-off and raided Chopamba’s home, where they recovered 18kg of dried buffalo meat.

The Buffalo was valued at US$10 000.

New Ziana