Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Reporter
THE Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has ordered controversial gold dealer Baron Dube to cease mining operations at a Bubi mine after he was exposed for using fraudulent papers to extract the mineral.Dube, who has gained cult status among panners for forcibly and illegally mining at claims where he does not have authority, was among those behind the gold rush at Shattils South Mine in Bubi.

Panners whom he allowed to dig on the property recently told Chronicle that they had his permission on condition that they surrendered part of the minerals to him.

However, the mines ministry has since notified the police to stop Dube’s illegal activities after noting that the claim belongs to the late Elliot Ndlovu and his widow Ennie Moyo has sole ownership of the mine.

The ministry’s position follows a complaint that was lodged to it by Moyo.

Ministry officials summoned both parties for a hearing on July 24 at 2PM, but only Moyo turned up.

In a letter written to the officer-in-charge of Inyathi Police Station, a ministry official who signed his name as H Mutisi on behalf of acting Matabeleland North provincial mining director Julius Moyo, police were asked to assist Ennie Moyo to have access to her deceased husband’s mining claim without any disturbances from Dube and his partners.

“On the 22nd of July 2014, Ennie Moyo (Elliot Ndlovu’s wife) complained that Baron Dube was illegally working on her deceased husband’s mine.

“A letter was written to Baron Dube from the mining commissioner’s office requesting him to bring his certificate of registration and a copy of the map showing the mine in dispute so that we solve the dispute. However, Baron did not turn up. Only Ennie Moyo turned up for the mine dispute resolution at our office.”

The letter said it was discovered that papers that Dube was using on the Bubi mine were not for that claim.

“The certificate of registration for Grangerook 38, registration number 47512, which was being used by Baron Dube on the mine in dispute was not for that mine,” reads the letter.

“In view of the foregoing, Baron Dube should stop all mining operations and move out of Elliot Ndlovu’s mine (Shattils South: 43162). Ennie Moyo (Elliot Ndlovu’s wife) should resume mining operations immediately without any disturbances from Baron Dube and his partners.”

Efforts to get a comment from Dube and Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Siphiwe Makonese were not successful.

 

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