OVER 50 militant sand poachers recently attacked police and
and Environmental Management Agency (EMA) officers during a sand abstraction
blitz in the Chizhanje area of Mabvuku.
EMA provincial environmental manager for Harare
Metropolitan Province Mr Robson Mavondo confirmed the incident and said police
had to disperse the mob by firing teargas canisters and warning shots.
“The operation focused on apprehending illegal sand
abstractors and transporters of sand. Two vehicles were used to encircle
Chizhanje sand abstraction site.
“On approaching the site one truck driver ran away and
abandoned his truck that was being used to ferry illegally extracted sand. Two
other drivers tried to drive off through the Chizhanje exit point, but their
trucks were blocked by one of the agency’s vehicles,” he said.
“The two trucks were impounded at Mabvuku Police Station.
The other one remained on the site after the driver locked it before running
away. A tow truck was called in to tow it away but unfortunately it failed.
“During the process over 50 illegal sand abstractors who
had run away began to mobilise one another to attack the officers.
“The police responded by firing teargas and two warning
shots after the illegal sand miners became aggressive. More police
reinforcements were sent to the area and three more warning shots fired
resulting in the mob dispersing,” he said.
Mr Mavondo also said the area damaged by sand poachers is
estimated at 72,5707 hectares and a depth of 3,5 metres, adding the two trucks
taken to Mabvuku ZRP Police Station were fined $1 200 each.
He said the agency had since opened a docket for the
abandoned truck . Herald
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