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Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
HUNDREDS of illegal panners last week besieged an area near Ncema Dam, just outside Esigodini, after gold deposits were discovered, leaving a trail of destruction in the process.
The gold rush reportedly saw gold buyers setting up camp in the area, before the situation was contained by police. However, Matabeleland South provincial spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said no report of a gold rush had been made.
“There was no such activity; usually if and when there are new gold deposits found there would be a surge in reports of crime and people fighting. I never got any such report and if ever there was a gold rush that would be at the top of the list of our priorities as police,” he said.
However, Umzingwane Member of Parliament Retired Brigadier-General Levi Mayihlome said he had heard of the gold rush, but said it lasted for a few days.
“Indeed there was a gold rush, I was informed about it but I am told it is over now. I was in Harare this past week but I will be back in Esigodini during the weekend,” he said.
Sources said a handful of illegal gold panners arrived in the area on Monday night and by Tuesday the numbers had doubled.
“They were just a few of them on Monday but the following day it was as if there was a community or village that lived there. They were just destructive,” he said.
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