-as Clipsham stares collapse
MILLICENT HUNGWE
MASVINGO CITY-The Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, has ordered an immediate cessation of illegal gold panning activities in the mountainous Clipsham area.
Clipsham area is experiencing unprecedented environmental haphazard land degradation due to unregulated artisanal mining, some with the blessing of senior government officials and Zanu PF politicians, The Midweek Watch has learnt.
Minister Chadzamira ordered the immediate stop to haphazard mining activities during a tour that he conducted with the provincial joint operations command last week.
Despite a clear directive by the government to halt all mining operations, particularly the use of wash plants in peri-urban areas, illegal miners have continued defying the order by conducting operations, often under the cover of the night.
Minister Chadzamira strongly condemned the continued destruction of the environment, stating, “The Second Republic has a program in place to stop environmental destruction caused by illegal mining in rivers and peri-urban areas.”
Clipsham is now riddled with deep canals, holes which are posing danger to pedestrians and animals alike.
The illegal mining activities in search of the precious mineral are threatening the water reservoir at the top of the mountain as it may collapse plunging the ancient city into an unprecedented serious water crisis.
He highlighted that a national committee has already been established to rehabilitate areas affected by such activities.
The tour was part of a wider assessment exercise to identify the extent of environmental damage in Masvingo by panners.
“The damage we have seen today is serious, these illegal miners are destroying our environment and water infrastructure.
“Their actions are causing blockages and water shortages in the city,” said the Minister.
“Despite being warned, they have ignored the government’s call to stop. Now, we will enforce the law without fear or favour, they will be arrested and prosecuted,” he added.
Minister Chadzamira also revealed that efforts to curb illegal mining will not stop in Clipsham, as similar assessments and crackdowns will be extended to other districts across the province.
A dedicated environmental protection committee will be deployed to oversee restoration and safeguard natural resources from both local and international illegal mining operations.
The Minister emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance to environmental destruction.
