Online Reporter
Online Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has issued a final notice to an individual accused of conducting illegal mining activities near Cement Side. Mr Charles Mabhena, who lost a mine ownership dispute over Wolley Dog Mine last year, has since occupied an adjacent property and is now allegedly carrying out illegal mining operations that encroach on the disputed site.
In addition to operating within the contested area, the mining activities have reportedly extended into infrastructure belonging to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), which is strictly prohibited.
In correspondence regarding the matter, BCC Director of Town Planning, Mr Wisdom Siziba, confirmed that Mr Mabhena had been served with a final warning.
“Please be advised that council is looking into the matter and has advised Mr Mabhena to cease all mining activities with immediate effect and has been served with a final warning as the area is sensitive and very close to a critical national installation, therefore no mining activities under whatsoever conditions shall be permitted,” reads part of the letter.
In May last year, BCC rescinded an earlier resolution that had granted Mrs Egphar Siziba — who is reportedly operating alongside Mr Mabhena — consent to mine in the area. The council withdrew the approval after discovering that Mrs Siziba had applied for land that was already part of a special grant claim awarded by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
Mrs Siziba had sought to take over and renew the special grant mining claim. However, it later emerged that the land in question belonged to Mr Ishamail Lunat. Mr Lunat subsequently wrote to the local authority, the police officer commanding Bulawayo province, and ZETDC Western Region through his legal representatives, Dube Legal Practice, revealing that the duo had continued operating at the site despite the council’s resolution and multiple court orders prohibiting such activity.
Responding to this communication, Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart called for an urgent end to the illegal operations.
“Thank you for copying me a letter you write to Officer Commanding CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit. I am hoping the law takes its course to bring these criminal activities to normalcy,” said Clr Coltart.
