Mliswa dismisses “Machete miners” conviction, urges machetes ban
The violence which is targeting the Zimbabwean small scale miners is pure criminal elements targeting what has been produced by miners, Hon Temba Mliswa said in a meeting held on Tuesday at Dandaro in Norton.
Mirirai Melissa Ngoya
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe Mliswa said “They are criminals who have come up with a way of intimidating miners in order to steal what they have produced”. This is to clarify that violent activities which have been recently witnessed by artisanal and small scale miners are not a result of miners rather just criminals elements hiding behind the title “miners”.
Adding on he said “there must be a ban of machetes up until to a certain point of time across the country. Anyone who is caught with a machete must face jail term” this he said in a way to make sure that those criminals are screened from the majority.
“If you are caught with a machete you are going to face a jail term,” said honourable Mliswa.
It is not good that we sugar coat criminals who are on a mission of destroying the Norton prosperity, it is important noting that the so-called Mashurugwi have destroyed the Shurugwi constituency name hence it is crystal clear that they are people who have embarked on a criminal journey looking for easy money.
Mliswa further on notifying the miners that in a way of mitigating violence they are allowed to do civilian arrest if they find someone who is armed looking to cause havoc within their area. This has to be done to make sure that we close all loopholes and catch all criminals together with those that are operating behind the scene.
Adding on Mliswa said, “I have opened my eyes checking on how the courts are operating if I suspect anything I’m going to make sure that laws are changed so that we create and maintain a conducive Norton constituency where investors will rush to assist since they will be no records of violence.”
For miners to make sure that they expose criminals honourable urged them to be registered with ZMF in a way of flashing out these crooks.