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THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has enlisted the help of traditional, civil and political leadership in Zvishavane to deal with the problem of rampant illegal mining within the railway reserve land.

Adams and Oreti Sidings have witnessed a surge in illegal mining activities which are threatening the safety of NRZ trains passing through the area.

Mining activities are taking place as close as three metres to the railway line yet the law stipulates that no mining or planting of crops should take place less than 45 metres either side of the railway track.

As a result of the mining activities taking place at Adams and Oreti, deep pits have been created close to the railway line, posing a danger to its existence.

The scale of illegal mining activities calls for a joint effort by all stakeholders to address the issue before serious accidents are recorded in the area.

The involvement of community leaders and other stakeholders in the fight against illegal mining is important because the effects are not felt by NRZ alone but the community as a whole.

For instance, pits being dug by miners collect water and pose a threat to lives of children who might be tempted to swim in the pools.

Livestock belonging to villagers also risks falling into the pits while grazing.

The mining activities are also causing land degradation which leads to soil erosion and destruction of vegetation.

The NRZ approached the local Member of Parliament, Honourable Mahwite, who pledged to assist in conscientising his constituents against mining close to the railway line.

The District Development Co-ordinator (DDC) for Zvishavane was also roped in together with the local Chief and officials from the Environmental Management Agency.

These officials convened meetings to educate local community on the dangers of mining within Railway Servitude and the penalties as enshrined in the Railway Act Chapter 13:09 Section 38(3) c.

As a result of the successful engagement of the local leadership, the community promised to assist in stopping mining activities within the Railway reserve land.

Some of the mining companies have also started filling the shafts they dug.

However, the NRZ is concerned that some people continue to engage in illegal mining within the railway reserve thereby compromising the safety of trains.