Illegal Miners ordered to Vacate Mazowe or Face the full wrath of the law
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a notice to illegal miners from Mazowe Mine Lease 35 to vacate the area by July 13, 2024, or face the full wrath of the law.
By Patricia Rwafa
The eviction order, issued by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, requires all illegal occupants to vacate the area which stretches from near ZRP Mazowe to the small town of Concession.
In a press statement, Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that the Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, recently issued an eviction notice and order for all illegal occupiers of mining sites, those involved in the destruction of land and vegetation activities, and those engaged in criminal acts to vacate Mazowe Mine Lease 35, which covers areas near ZRP Mazowe up to Concession, with effect from July 6 to July 13, 2024.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police, therefore, has the opportunity to warn illegal occupants of mining sites and those perpetuating criminal activities to heed the notice and vacate the indicated areas by the given period.
“Police will ensure the law takes its course on anyone who defies the government’s directive or commits criminal activity under the guise of mining syndicate groups. The public is urged to cooperate with police officers as they move in to maintain law and order.”
The government is grappling with how to tackle illegal mining due to the prevalence of unregistered mines and limited resources for enforcement as more and more citizens take to mining to earn a living.
The Ministry however faces capacitation challenges which is leading to Mining Certificates taking over five years to be processed. In places like Mashonalandwest earlier this year there were reportedly 13 000 Mining Certificates applications which are expected to be processed via physical site inspections from Ministry Officials of which the 57,441 km² province only has two vehicles.