Operation “thunderball” hits Hwange
By Thandeka Matebesi
Hwange Residents have spoken out following the recent demolitions of bricks of alleged clay poachers by excavators this past week.
According to Hwange Local Board (HLB) the demolitions are a part of governments initiative code-named operation “thunderball” aimed at dealing with clay poaching and land degradation.
The operation is being spearheaded by security services in conjunction with other partners, of which HLB is a part.
On its part, the local authority said that those involved in clay poaching particularly for brick moulding had been served with a notice asking them to cease their operations on or before 25 September 2020.
Hwange Local Board (HLB) would like to advise members of the public that it will be carrying out a land rehabilitation exercise in the bushy areas of Empumalanga and Don Bosco on or before Friday (25/09/20).
The aforesaid areas have over the years suffered massive land degradation.
In a show of empathy and humanity, HLB is hereby appealing to all those involved in clay poaching and illegal brick moulding to cease their operations forthwith to pave way for the exercise, reads the notice alleged to have been circulated to the residents.
HLB also said that at least 26 people have since been arrested for poaching crimes in Hwange.
“The operation is being spearheaded by security services and in Hwange District, the committee is being headed by the Criminal Investigations Department from Zimbabwe Republic Police. “Other committee members are the Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Department of Immigration, Forestry Commission, Hwange Colliery Company Limited, Hwange Rural District Council and HLB.The operation has so far netted 26 people for illegal clay soil extraction, two for sand poaching, one for production of charcoal and three for animal poaching, reads the statement.
Greater Whange Residents Trust Coordinator Mr Fidelis Chima said there was need to regulate extraction of clay for purposes of accountability.
There are more than 1000 people involved in brick moulding with majority being labourers, women and children.
“Greater Whange Residents Trust we want to see regulated clay extraction so that we know who is doing what where and it also benefits residents and at the same time council is able to generate revenue through licences from brick moulders” said Chima.
Chima revealed that officials in the town were also involved in clay poaching for the purposes of brick moulding.
“Councillors , council officials and influential people own land for brick moulding. And child labour is rife on due to rampant illegal clay soil extraction activities, he said.
He added: The demolition of bricks without giving notice is against the principles of good governance. The demotions are a national exercise which is being carried out on colliery side not local board side with equipment sourced from mining companies.
