Govt to conduct geotechnical surveys in mining towns

Gweru (New Ziana) -The government will soon conduct geotechnical surveys in Kwekwe and other mining towns to ascertain the safety of citizens from illegal underground mining activities.

The move follows the recent incident where a classroom at Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe caved in due to illegal mining, resulting in the injury of 18 pupils.

Kwekwe residents expressed fear that the Central Business District (CBD) might be affected since it was 500 metres away from Globe and Phoenix Mine.

There are also fears that the Kwekwe District Government offices which house the District Registrar and the District Development Coordinator (DDC) could also cave in because of the continued illegal mining activities underground.

Speaking during a post Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Treasury had released funds for drone mapping and geotechnical surveys in all mining towns in the country.

“Government has released funds for drone mapping and a geological survey for Kwekwe City Council in order to ensure the safety of all citizens and businesses.

“Geotechnical surveys will be conducted for all mining towns and communities facing similar situations,” she said while presenting a report on the Globe and Phoenix Primary School disaster in Kwekwe from the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo.

Mutsvangwa said the Department of Civil Protection had assisted all the learners from the school, which had been closed and would be relocated to a new site.

The government has provided tents and set up temporary classrooms at the nearby Sally Mugabe Primary School grounds to accommodate the 1 500 learners.

New Ziana