Zimpapers Logo

Michael Magoronga, [email protected] 

ILLEGAL mining activities taking place in Zhombe, in Midlands Province, are causing environmental degradation as gold panners miners leave open pits posing danger to humans and livestock.

Zhombe, a gold-rich area located between Gokwe and Kwekwe, is home to illegal mining activities.

Chief Gwesela recently told a gathering during a clean-up campaign that the pits were now posing a danger to livestock.

“Zhombe is a mining community, but we are not happy with what is happening. Most miners are leaving open pits,, which have become traps for our livestock. There is a lot that needs to be done to address this situation,” he said.

Chief Gwesela urged the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and Zibagwe Rural District Council to tighten screws to curb environmental degradation.

Environmental Management Agency (EMA)

“I encourage EMA and our council to be tough regarding this issue because people are losing livestock due to pits left behind by gold panners. They should be punished heavily so that we send a strong message to would-be offenders,” he said.

Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube said local authorities and Government departments should play a leading role in ending this menace.

“Government departments and local authorities, should fight this man-made scourge. Let me remind those in the mining business to ensure that mined areas are progressively rehabilitated,” he said.

“This comes after the realisation that some miners are only interested in resource extraction without rehabilitating mined areas. Open pits left by miners are a threat to both humans and livestock.”

Minister Owen Ncube

Turning to the clean-up, Minister Ncube said people should make it a habit to maintain clean environments.

“I urge all motorists not to throw litter through windows of moving vehicles, as it is a punishable offence. Let us continue to clean our environment in support of our President and our livelihoods. Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” he said. 

Minister Ncube said Government is implementing a raft of measures to ensure clean environments and attract investors.

“We have adopted a comprehensive approach to our clean-up campaigns by making it part of general service delivery benchmarks that cover grass cutting, street lighting, water provision, vending sites, road and housing infrastructure,” he said.