Chinese miners bolt into mountains

Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
CHINESE nationals fled into the mountains last week as the provincial Joint Operations Command (JOC) swooped on illegal alluvial gold mining along Mutare River, seizing 12 excavators and other high-value machinery in a crackdown on illegal miners accused of polluting and ravaging the water body.
Two private security guards, who were guarding some of the seized mining equipment that had been concealed in a thicket along the riverbank, were arrested, with a wash plant, generator and submersible pump recovered from them.
The seized mining equipment remains on site under armed police guard.
The Joint Operations Command, comprising the Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, descended, and drove illegal miners off the riverbanks in a decisive operation.

Among those who abandoned their equipment and scrambled for cover were Chinese nationals, who had been running large-scale mining activities, leaving behind the heavy machinery used in the destruction of the river.
Despite the Government ban on alluvial mining, illegal activities have continued along Mutare River, threatening its very existence, and downstream water users, prompting environmentalists and communities to call for an immediate halt to operations that were being carried out in broad daylight.

Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the confiscation of machinery, including excavators, wash plants and generators.
He also revealed the arrest of eight other illegal miners for criminal trespass and the seizure of liquor being sold from an unregistered outlet.
“The Provincial Joint Operations Command, comprising members of the ZNA, ZRP and ZPCS, was dispatched to conduct an operation along Mutare River. One unit deployed near the Beaula area, recovered 12 excavators allegedly used by Chinese nationals to mine gold illegally along the river.

“The excavators were found concealed in the bush in an apparent attempt to evade detection by law enforcement officers. The Chinese nationals fled into the mountains when they saw the team approaching.
“Another team of law enforcers arrived at Yung Tech (Pvt) Ltd, where the company had ceased operations. The team then proceeded to Chikuhwa Farm Plot 1, where evidence of illegal mining was found, but no one was present. The officers went to Champion Mine, where illegal mining activity was evident – and a search of the area led to the recovery of a wash plant, generator and submersible pump hidden in a bush, and guarded by two security guards from Melta Security Company – Douglas Maocha (52), of Wadyembwa Village, Chief Marange, and Maxwell Miccah (39), of Chinhoyi, who stated that they were guarding the property for Yung Tech (Pvt) Ltd. They also found Peter Makunura, of Riverside, Odzi, a general hand at Yung Tech. The three were all arrested and taken to ZRP Penhalonga for further processing,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, adding that another team of officers arrested eight people for criminal trespass at Chikanga Farm.

The accused are Norbert Simon (34), of Kambuzuma, Harare; Michael Samuel (25), of Temazan Village; Chiredzi; Beaven Kararira (18), of Muchokocho Village, Chief Rusambo; Taurai Nyasvimba (19), of Chief Mutasa; Terrence Chakati (28), of Chief Chiswete; Trust Jerenyenje (29), of Chigomera Village, Guruve; Charles Chimbadzwa (17), of Chief Marange; and Taona Muchekenyedze, of Chief Nyajena, Chiredzi.
“The team also recovered various mining equipment, including 11 shovels, three mattocks, PVC pipes, a range, hoe, slasher, 11 gas blowers, 14 submersible water pumps, three garden water pumps, six generators, wheelbarrow, two heavy-duty hammers and 10 litres of diesel,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

He said another raid was carried out at an unlicensed makeshift tuck-shop near Chikanga Bridge along Mutare River, where an assortment of liquor was recovered.
“Another raid was conducted at an unregistered outlet, and the following items were seized – 7×1,25-litre Chibuku Supa; 31x200ml Ice Whiskey; 200x200ml Whiskey; 54x200ml Teku-teku cane spirit; 24x200ml Hudson Whiskey; and 68x200ml Two Keys. The accused were detained at ZRP Penhalonga,” he said, adding that two private security guards who were guarding mining equipment hidden in a bush were arrested and a wash plant, a generator and a submersible pump were recovered.