Panners Destroying Nyatsimba Mutota Ruins

Following the beginning of mining operations in the Mavhuradonha mountain range, illegal gold and chrome panners have trespassed into the Nyatsimba Mutota ruins on the boundary of Mbire and Muzarabani districts, Nhau has learnt.

According to sources, the panners allegedly stolen the security fence protecting the National Museums and Monuments area, action which has exposed the monument to trespassing by the public and other vandals.

Last Saturday headman Vengai Kurupira in whose village the site is located appealed to the government and the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) to re-fence the area.

He said this would go a long way in protecting and preserving the cultural heritage site believed to be the place where the First Chimurenga spirit medium used to settle after buying salt in the Dande Valley on his way to Tuwuyu Tusere in Guruve where he stayed and is believed to be buried.

According to George Seremwe currently holding the lease of the tourism area, this form of destruction emanated soon after Afrochine Mine was granted rights to mine gold and chrome in the mountain range.

“We never had these problems before, Afrochine opened the floodgates of illegal panners into the area.

Members of the communities surrounding the ruins should jealously guard against destruction of the heritage site.”

He said working together with other players in the tourism sector and the Campfire program, will make sure that patrols are intensified along the wilderness to protect both the range and the ruins.

“The whole mountain range (wilderness) is a protected area by the national parks through an act of Parliament and should be given the protection it deserves.”

Despite this development, Seremwe and other players in the tourism industry operating within the range, have started an apiculture project for members of the community to uplift their livelihoods.

So far they harvested more than 300 litres of honey this season which has already been sold. Nhau/Indaba