Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
ILLEGAL scrap metal dealers are reportedly causing rampant vandalism of infrastructure in Kamativi in Hwange District.
Chronicle understands that water pipes, electricity poles, bridges and buildings have been destroyed by illegal scrap metal dealers who scavenge for it as it is on demand.
There is a ready market locally in Kamativi as three dealers have reportedly camped in the area resulting in a rush for scrap metal.
Initially people were digging for metal at the old Kamativi Tin Mine dump sites where they would unearth some old iron and steel bars but have resorted to cutting poles, pipes and other structures to access the metal.
Kamativi Mine closed some years ago and Government has been engaging investors to resuscitate operations.
There are fears supply of water and electricity to schools, clinics, businesses and residential areas could be affected in the long run if the criminal activity continues unabated.
Some parts of Kamativi already have no piped water and electricity following vandalism of electricity power lines by copper cables thieves in 2017.
The cables have not been replaced.
Residents who spoke on condition they remained anonymous said a lot of infrastructure has been damaged.
“These people are cutting water pipes and electricity poles. Schools have not been spared as they target anything that is metal. They are also destroying bridges to access pipes underground,” said a resident.
A tonne of scrap metal is sold for between US$80 and US$100 on site and between US$220 and US$250 in Bulawayo.
Some dealers have camped in Kamativi to get the scrap metal from the source.
Hwange Rural District Council Kamativi ward councillor Jacob Nyoni said residents are concerned about the destruction.
He appealed to law enforcement agents and authorities to urgently address the issue.
“Yes, we are aware of the issue and have tried to engage over it. When these people came initially they were getting scrap metal from old dump sites. They started vandalising infrastructure when supply from the dump site started going down,” said Clr Nyoni.
“We don’t support this and we wish those dealers could leave the area. We addressed the community two months ago and said these people must go but the problem is that we can’t enforce the law, that’s the duty of the police and we wish something could be done.” — @ncubeleon
Online Reporter