SYDNEY MUBAIWA
KWEKWE- A 20 year-old man from Kwekwe has been jailed for an effective two years for illegally prospecting for gold behind government offices in the Midlands city
Casten Zeve (20) appeared before the Kwekwe Magistrate who convicted him for illegal mining.
According to court records, Zeve was arrested after police officers raided an illegal mining site behind the Ministry of Public Works yard in Newtown, Kwekwe on March 10,2024.
They found Zeve and four other unidentified accomplices prospecting for the precious metal and loading gold ore into sacks using pics and shovels.
After spotting the police officers, Zeve and his accomplices fled into a nearby bushy area.
After a long chase,the detectives managed to apprehend Zeve and recovered two sacks of gold ore, which were later tested and confirmed to contain the precious metal.
Officials from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Ministry of Mines and Mining Development together with the police have reiterated their commitment to curbing illegal mining operations, which pose environmental and economic challenges.
Early last year, Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe curved in after illegal gold panners dug tunnels underneath the school’s premises exposing pupils to danger.
