ONE of the busiest highways in the country, linking central and southern African
countries with South Africa is in danger as some of its sections face imminent
collapse because of rampant illegal mining activities along and across the Bulawayo-
Beitbridge Road.
The rampant illegal gold panning operations in Gwanda District have resulted in
authorities and the miners at loggerheads.
During the festive season, gold panners dug up the perimeter fence of the children’s
home shelter at Kip Keno and diverted the old Gwanda-Bulawayo road after digging
some of its sections.
Since then the illegal miners are seen to be targeting public institutions. This led to
the formation a special security committee meant to deal will illegal gold panners
who are destroying infrastructure and the environment.
The committee is led by Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and is backed
by members of the Joint Operations Command (JOC). Its objective is to deal with
illegal gold panners who have destroyed the environment, homesteads as well as
roads and railway infrastructure along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road.
Provincial Director of Mines and Mining Development, Khumbulani Mlangeni, said
even though the Mining Act supersedes other acts, miners have no right to destroy
infrastructure.
“We have appraised our principals, Office of Permanent Secretary, Minister of State
and provincial roads engineer on safety risk threat.
“Gold mining is everywhere, unfortunately within a 70 meter servitude of a railway
line and the road there must be no mining activity taking place because we are
supposed to protect that infrastructure both the road and railway line, hence there is
need for a multiple stakeholder approach.
“BBR tried to engage the police but unfortunately these guys operate during the night
when business is minimal,” said Mlangeni.
The National Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said they
have since deployed heavily armed officers who are manning the area around the
clock.
“As police, we ensure that law and order is maintained and the area in question is
currently under police guard. We are working in collaboration with other relevant
stakeholders.
Even members of the public have a duty to protect such infrastructure and must be
responsible citizens,” said Asst Commissioner Nyathi.
EMA, provincial head, Descent Ndlovu, was not reachable for comment while the
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, did not respond to questions
sent by the time of going to print.
However, concerned residents also took to social media platforms complaining about
the conduct of the illegal gold panners.
“These makorokoza are destroying the infrastructure just for the love of money, this
is silly. Isitsheketsha need to be controlled to some extent. Things are tough, yes,
but digging all over the country should not be glorified by any sane person.”
“Ministry of Mines, EMA and other relevant offices must visit this place and do a
thorough assessment. That stretch between Gwanda and Colleen Bawn is damaged
by otsheketsha. Abanye bagebhe just a few metres from the road and power lines,”
complained one resident.
The busy highway provides passage to cargo trucks, buses and light vehicles from
Beitbridge Border Post to Zambia, Botswana, Angola, Tanzania, Namibia, DRC and
right up to Central African countries.
