PANNERS A THREAT TO HOSPITAL

Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI

RESIDENTS who live close to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital have raised concerns over illegal mining activities occurring behind the health facility.

There are fears that the mining activities may cause the hospital to collapse, as they are being conducted underneath the buildings.

Residents have called on the government to take action against the illegal miners.

“We fear that one day the hospital will collapse as the panners are now digging under the hospital buildings,” said the resident, who chose not to be named.

She said the Government must put in place mechanisms to prevent what happened to Kwekwe’s Globe and Phoenix Primary School classroom block.

It collapsed due to illegal underground gold mining activities.

Another resident, Felix Mbundi, said illegal mining posed a danger wherever it was being done.

“I understand that people are desperate and trying to make a living, but when it endangers other people’s lives, then I think that kind of economic activity should be stopped.

“Right now, illegal mining has become a danger to the hospital,” said Mbundi.

It is understood that the area behind the hospital is rich in gold deposits.

Mashonaland West Environmental Management Agency education and information officer, Munyaradzi Nhariswa, said they were working with other regulatory authorities to curb illegal mining activities.

“Some of the hotspots are CSC and the vacant piece of land behind Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital,” said Nhariswa.

“The impact ranges from dangerous open pits and damage to the hospital.”