Police warn illegal miners

Vusumuzi Dube, Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned illegal miners in the country that they risk facing the full wrath of the law if they continue operations disregarding Covid-19 national lockdown regulations.

In April, President Mnangagwa allowed registered miners to resume operations during the Covid-19-induced lockdown but the police have constantly had run-ins with illegal miners who continue operating thereby violating lockdown regulations.

Posting on their official Twitter account the ZRP warned that anyone caught practicing illegal mining activities risked being arrested for violating lockdown regulations.

“Members of the public carrying out illegal mining activities risk being arrested and prosecuted. In Nkayi on 17/8/20, 22 people were arrested for violating Covid-19 lockdown measures when they were found at Riverside and Pinch mines. Three ball mills and one crusher were recovered during the arrest of the illegal miners,” reads the tweet.

In an interview, National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said they already had an ongoing operation against illegal miners hence the public should be warned against operating mining activities without licences as they risk being arrested.

“Members of the public should know that Operation Chikorokoza Ngachipere is an ongoing operation which will not end until illegal mining is curbed. Therefore, we urge everyone to desist from illegal mining activities. Officers will always arrest those who continue to break the law,” he said.