Shamva (Nehanda Guardian-new Ziana) – Police in Mashonaland Central Province have said a total of two hundred and fifty seven machete-armed criminals involved in illegal mining have been convicted and jailed at Shamva magistrates circuit court alone since last month.

Police launched a province-wide Operation Chikorokoza Ngachipere last month which has nabbed hundreds of the illegal gold miners, some of whom are also involved in machete wielding robberies.

Of the 257, 145 were each jailed for two years, whilst the other 114 were incarcerated for 50 days.

This was said by Inspector Milton Mundembe, the ZRP provincial community relations and liaison officer for Mashonaland Central.

He said most of the arrests were at Shamva Gold mine, which is under care and maintenance, at Mupfurudzi Game Park and in areas around Chavakadzi.
“Areas like Shamva Gold Mine, Chavakadzi, Kitsiyatota and Mupfurudzi are now no go areas, if caught there you will be arrested without any hesitation,” he said.

Mundembe said the operation was continuing, and police were ready to deal with any public disorder and illegal activities.

“If interested in mining, we are appealing to members of the public to follow correct procedures; doing the mining in the correct way with the required documents,” he added.

Nehanda Guardian-New Ziana