…economic challenges to blame
EDWIN MOYO
Gweru-Sand poachers are wreaking havoc to Ngamo Dam in Gweru and the surrounding communities as they cause serious environmental damage to the area.
The sand poachers are causing suffering to human and livestocks as they leave very dip open pits wherever they operate.
Confirming the development to the Midweek Watch, Environmental Management Agency, Midlands Province, public relations and communications officer, Oswald Ndlovu said the illegal activities at Ngamo dam were very disturbing.
“We visited Ngamo Dam and the aerodrome areas today (Tuesday) in Gweru where illegal sand mining activities on the river are taking place.
“There is serious pit and sand poaching happening in the area and this has led to massive land degradation in the areas which is quiet disturbing.
“As EMA we continue to work with the police so that we curb the illegal activities which are threatening the environment.
“We are calling upon all stakeholders who are involved in the protection of the environment to come on board so that we curb these activities.
“Closer to Ngamo Dam, these activities already are a threat to the dam, a lot of damage has been done on the river catchment, the dam has been affected by siltation,” Ndlovu added.
He further said sand extraction was supposed to be done in line with laid down legal procedures.
“The Aerodrome area has a lot of commercial farming activities going including cattle ranching, so open pits are a serious threat to cattle as they risk falling inside.
“So we are saying those who are into sand extraction should approach council to get permission to do so legally with a permit, then you come to EMA for the transportation licences,” he added.
However, a sand poacher, Sumaili Nyasha said it is difficult for most sand miners to quit the illegal practice as it is their only means to put food on the family table.
“I cannot remain illegally mining sand with the heavy fines that we get from the authorities my brother, but my family has to survive otherwise I will go into the street and become a thief.
“Now we are being prohibited to go to Ngamo for sand poaching, if found we are arrested and fined, recently I was fined US$300 I have no option, I can’t quit the practice, if I quit my family starves. We are not fighting EMA we really respect them, but we are struggling due to the economy which is not giving us opportunities,” said Nyasha.
Despite EMA having issued 25 tickets from January 2023 up to date, illegal sand mining activities continue unabated.
Investigations by this publication revealed that, sand poaching was being done with blessings of well connected people and influential politicians which makes it very difficult for EMA to be on top of the situation.
