adminTHE arrest of 168 illegal diamond panners who had trespassed into the Chiadzwa diamond fields on Sunday shows the renewed vigour law enforcement agents have in sealing off the mines. It was a big haul and we hope that the right message has been sent to would-be offenders to stay off the fields.
Illegal panners are die hard elements who have a tendency of sneaking back into the fields at night to land their hands on the precious gems.
We encourage the law enforcement agents to maintain their grip and ensure that the fields are safe from plunderers. Information gathered shows that during the day the illegal panners retire to their bases awaiting night fall to invade the fields in their numbers.
We urge those commanding operations at the fields to beef up operations at night in order to win the battle. This involves equipping the manning details with equipment that light up the dangerous spots at night.
Indeed, the fields are vast but we cannot afford to leave them idle at the mercy of the illegal panners.
Sunday’s sporadic raids that resulted in the arrest of the 168 suspects showed that the Officer Commanding Operation Hakudzokwi, Assistant Commissioner Ali Simbarashe Hondo meant his words when he said the police will beef up operations.
When briefing the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene last Thursday following the death of three illegal panners who were trapped in a mine shaft Asst Comm Hondo said: “We have deployed our manpower in all strategic areas, but because of the vastness of the area some of the panners are sneaking in.
We will continue beefing up our deployments to ensure that the fields are completely sealed off,” he said. The nation is following events at the fields to see whether the gems are being protected from further abuse.
There is hope that the formation of a consolidated company to mine the diamonds will ensure transparency and bring more benefits to the nation.
We concur with Cde Chimene when she urged the police to deploy more personnel and protect the fields. In the same vein, those found in possession of diamonds must be arrested and brought before the courts.
To dissuade would-be offenders from illegally dealing in the precious stones we urge the courts to speedily finalise pending cases and hand down deterrent sentences.
When that happens, the number of people invading the fields will be minimized because the risk will be too high. What is worrying is that despite the heavy presence of law enforcement agents, illegal panners are still finding their way by greasing the hands of a corrupt few.
We urge the internal police anti corruption task force to rise to the occasion and bring to book bad apples among the police force. When officers on the ground realise that they are being watched they will not engage in illicit deals.
Dishonesty is a grave offence in the police force which warrants dismissal.
Online Reporter