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Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]

FOR years, sand poachers have been wreaking havoc in Bulawayo’s western suburbs, leaving a trail of destruction in areas such as Methodist Village, Pumula East, Old Pumula, Nkulumane, and Pumula South.

These illegal activities have resulted in severe land degradation, posing a growing threat to both residents and infrastructure.
The poachers, driven by the increasing demand for construction materials, operate with impunity, digging deep trenches and pits to extract sand. The harvested sand is then transported to suburbs like Cowdray Park, Emthunzini, and Mbundane, where large-scale housing developments are underway. Despite the evident environmental damage, the illegal operations continue unabated, often taking place in broad daylight.

With the ongoing rainy season, the abandoned pits are rapidly filling up with water, turning into potential death traps. The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has forecast a normal to above-normal rainfall season, further exacerbating the risks posed by these open pits.

Meteorological Services Department (MSD)

In Pumula East, along the main road leading to Nkulumane, the landscape is marred by scattered pits, some already filled to the brim with rainwater. Parents and community leaders fear for the safety of schoolchildren who attend nearby institutions such as Amhlophe High School and Ingwegwe Primary School.

Ward 19 Councillor Lazarus Mphadwe expressed deep concern over the situation. He said residents have been raising the alarm for years, but the problem continues to escalate.

“The demand for sand is pushing poachers to dig indiscriminately, leaving dangerous pits behind. Some of these pits are so close to major roads that if left unchecked, we could soon lose critical road infrastructure,” said Clr Mphadwe.
“As parents, our biggest fear is that young children, drawn by curiosity, might attempt to swim in the water-filled pits and drown.”

Pumula East resident Mrs Gloria Banda, whose home is located near some of the pits, said she has to constantly monitor her grandchildren to prevent them from wandering too close to the water-filled craters.

“The pits are so deep that even an adult could drown if they accidentally fell in. I have two young grandchildren, and I’ve strictly forbidden them from playing anywhere near these dangerous areas,” she said.
She recalled a tragic incident about six years ago when a schoolchild drowned while swimming in one of the pits.

Recent heavy downpours have worsened the situation, filling the largest pits with water and increasing the risk of accidents.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has acknowledged the severity of the problem but admitted to struggling with enforcement due to limited resources.

Bulawayo City Council

In Methodist Village, illegal sand mining has not only scarred the landscape but also destroyed homes.
Mrs Primrose Ndebele, a resident, said the poachers are often individuals from nearby communities who operate with little regard for the consequences of their actions.

“They usually dig at night and sometimes during the day. We just watch them do their thing because when we approach them and tell them to stop, they shout at us and threaten us,” she said.

Ward 17 Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo said the poachers prioritise profit over the well-being of the community.
“These are our own children engaging in these activities. They have been selling sand for years without considering the long-term damage. Now, the situation is out of control,” she said.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has called for stronger measures to protect affected areas.
EMA environmental education and publicity manager Ms Amkela Sidange said local authorities have to fence off areas affected by sand poaching to protect human life, livestock, and wildlife.

She revealed that EMA has so far rehabilitated 464 hectares of land affected by sand poaching and illegal mining across the country, with efforts ongoing.

“Through implementing principles of NDS1, EMA has been able to rehabilitate areas that were degraded through sand abstraction across the country. By the end of last year, we had rehabilitated 464 hectares of land, and the rehabilitation is still ongoing,” said Ms Sidange.

She urged the public to only purchase sand from registered suppliers and to ensure that sand extraction follows proper environmental regulations.

“We encourage people to buy sand from licensed companies and to extract sand only from designated points. This ensures that the environment is protected while maintaining public safety,” she said.
Ms Sidange said registered sand extraction companies must backfill pits after mining to mitigate environmental damage and prevent accidents.