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George Maponga in Masvingo
Police have warned illegal miners against violating Covid-19-induced lockdown regulations saying the net was closing in on defiant fortune seekers who have been on the prowl around the province.
The development comes following a recent gold rush in the Hwendedzo area in Masvingo North constituency with hundreds of fortune seekers from across the country flocking there.
This sparked fears that uncontrolled gangs of fortune hunters might lead to the spread of Covid-19 in the area.
The gold rush saw gangs of illegal miners ignoring Covid-19 precautionary measures such as wearing of masks and social distancing as they scavenged for the yellow metal in Hwendedzo.
Police have been carrying periodic and impromptu raids to stem the gold rush with nearly 100 illegal miners appearing in court.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa warned that the war against lockdown violators will not stop adding the net was closing in on illegal miners in Hwendedzo.
“We want to make it clear that we remain on the ground to deal with elements that violate lockdown regulations by engaging in unsanctioned movements and violating. the curfew,”said Inspector Dhewa.
“We also want to specifically warn illegal miners who have been descending in the Hwendedzo area that the long arm of the law will catch up with them soon.We will leave no stone unturned to make sure people are brought to book.”
Hwendedzo became a flash point of illegal mining activities recently after the discovery of huge gold deposits that precipitated a gold rush.
The battle to curb the illegal mining activities in Hwendedzo has since degenerated into a cat and mouse game between the police and defiant fortune hunters.
Online Reporter