POLICE in Mashonaland Central province last week arrested
63 illegal miners at Mazowe Mine following an upsurge in cases of machete wars.
Officer-commanding Mashonaland Central Commissioner
Rangarirai Mushaurwa said they were now on top of the situation after a
high-powered delegation of five ministers visited the area two weeks ago to
check on the security situation at the mine following reports of bloody fights
for gold.
“We are now on top of the situation; we are in control. We
managed to arrest 63 illegal miners last week and we are going to exercise our
duties at the mine without fear or favour,” Mushaurwa said.
Villagers who spoke to NewsDay accused panners from the
Midlands province of invading the area and causing anarchy.
Two weeks ago, the villagers told a ministerial taskforce
that the violent artisanal miners often boasted that they were untouchable
since they were connected to top government officials, among them State
Security minister Owen Ncube.
“We are in serious trouble with maShurugwi due to their
political back-up. The locals are no longer benefiting (from the gold). They
kill locals using machetes and explosives,” a villager who spoke on condition
of anonymity, said. Newsday
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