Online Reporter
A CONTINGENT of mounted police galloped into Vubachikwe Mine last week sending hundreds of illegal miners and criminals scurrying, knowing their days were numbered.
After a period of relative rise in crime and lawlessness from the scourge of illegal mining that has been witnessed in gold mining areas across the country, the Gwanda gold mine’s village was not spared, with the lawlessness spilling into nearby Blanket Mine.
Fortunately for Blanket, they have a commissioned 10-man strong contingent of Zimbabwe Republic Police Support Unit details under a commercial agreement that is always ready and on call to quell any lawlessness.
Vubachikwe Mine on the other hand, has no such luxury despite numerous attempts to get one stationed also on a similar commercial agreement.
However, having sensed the spiralling of the village into chaos, the mounted police and their horses arrived and have since been housed at the Vubachikwe Mine premises and their arrival has brought nothing but positive change.
“The situation was bordering on untenable with thugs coming to mine illegally and name-dropping names of prominent powerful political elite and causing mayhem everywhere. We were therefore pleasantly surprised when the Support Unit said they would deploy, and their presence has been a game changer; all thugs are on notice” said Vubachikwe Mine spokesperson Mr Robert Mukondiwa.
“We have on numerous times tried to ensure that we got a permanent team on the ground and have by and large seen our efforts surprisingly hit a brick wall despite the request for a commercial agreement to complement our own internal security team. However, we shall continue our quest to get a team stationed permanently,” he added.
With their arrival, six illegal miners were nabbed within hours of deployment, with the rest scurrying into the hills and valleys when word went round that the team had arrived and meant business.
“The team has done a tremendous job and we are pleased to be working alongside such a dedicated and professional team, complementing our efforts,” said head of security Mr Max Ruza.
“With such collaborations the peace and order we yearn for on the village will no doubt replace the occasional anarchy that we have seen in days gone by.”
Meanwhile, the equestrian marvels on as they calmly eat their grass and hay, looking more than aware that very soon they will be galloping into the vales and thickets along with their riders, heeding the call of national duty as they help bring peace and sanity into the outback of Gwanda’s Vubachikwe Mine village.
