Govt Sets Up Crack Teams To Nab Illegal Miners Degrading The Environment


Provincial Ministers of State and Devolution have been assigned to assemble crack teams that deal with the menace of illegal miners carrying out their activities in ecological sensitive ecosystems, Nhau has learnt.

The teams will be comprising of members of the security sector, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and other stakeholders.

Rivers, other protected waterbodies and mountainous areas are the targeted bionetworks where illegal mining activities are damaging the ecosystem.

George Seremwe, Mavuradonha Wilderness proprietor

In his address during the World Tourism Day commemorations, at Paradise Pools in Bindura last weekend, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Mangaliso Ndlovu said these illegal activities were reducing the tourism potential of these areas.

He said environmental degradation is a major deterrent to tourism.

“Honorable Minister (Senator Monica Mavhunga), I implore you to set up a crack team that comprises of our security sector, EMA, mines ministry officials, ZINWA and National Parks to deal with these perpetrators decisively.
Our future generations count on our actions now and indeed the tourism sector too,” he said.

He warned the illegal miners that the crack teams will not hesitate to forfeit all the equipment they use to degrade land and destroy the flora and fauna.

“I want to strongly warn those who have perpetuated illegal mining in these areas that not only the rule of law will reach them, but they also stand to suffer heavy losses,” he said.

His averments were supported by Mavuradonha Wilderness proprietor George Seremwe.

He said the setting up of the crack teams would help the tourism sector to achieve its US$5 billion value by the 2025 and only those permitted after submitting collateral for the activities could be tolerated.

He also encouraged government to guard its protected areas including, museums and monuments; national parks and natural water points from these illegal miners.

“When they allow them, they must be given some collateral maybe in huge sums and have a written agreement that those companies mining in the areas will refill their pits after their exploration,” emphasised Seremwe.

“But if possible no mining should be allowed in these protected areas. If government designated them as protected areas they then must remain protected and save their initial purpose,” he said.

Mavuradonha Mountain range covers over 60 000ha stretching from Muzarabani to Mbire district where illegal gold miners have since trespassed into Nyatsimba Mutota Ruins, a national monuments and museums heritage site.

Another Chinese Mine, Afrochine Mine has also been granted mining rights in the mountain, a development that has riled the locals and disturbed a number of wild animals which are migrating from the mountain to other areas.

The Mavuradonha wilderness is rich in animal and bird species, springs and waterfalls and has been a tourist attraction for Muzarabani district for years.

Other affected areas include Mazowe River and the Umfurudzi Game Park. Nhau/Indaba

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