Illegal gold panners wreak havoc in Gwanda
Providence Moyo
GWANDA – Gold is naturally a valuable mineral, a veritable blessing that should normally be a source of pride for inhabitants of the area of discovery. However, for communities in Gwanda, discoveries of gold ore have turned out to be a curse as residents’ own safety has been compromised while the environment has not been spared either.
Ironically, the coveted mineral is keeping members of the public in perpetual fear as the quest for the mineral usually degenerates into violence among the panners which also sucks in other residents.
Matshetshe in Ward 2, is one of the worst affected areas where some residents would rather that gold was not found in their locality because of alarming land degradation at Matshetshe turnoff which was has been dug up by gold panners popularly known as Amabhambadzi, who leave no stone unturned in their insatiable quest for the precious mineral.
Citizens have expressed grave concerns over the destruction of the turnoff, fearing for an increase of road accidents. Furthermore, there are fears that the rampant digging poses danger for livestock as well.
Mbonisi Nxumalo, a villager who spoke to Community Podium, said the Amabhambadzi’s voracious appetite for gold has caused serious land degradation at an alarming scale.
“Their actions have become increasingly unacceptable. They are destroying our roads and that is bound to deter vehicle owners from plying our route altogether, thereby potentially causing a transport crisis in our area. Thanks to the senseless gold rush, our roads have become death traps and no one wants to use such roads,” he said.
According to Nxumalo, the illegal gold panners occasionally become violent among themselves and sometimes physically attack law-abiding residents when they perceive the latter as obstacles on their way.
Hope For Children and Youth Forum Director, Vusumuzi Ndlovu who himself is a victim of Amabhambadzi violence shared the same sentiments with Nxumalo and alleged that the Gwanda villagers are now living in constant fear of the illegal gold panners.
Ndlovu said the problem emanates from divisions of a regional nature among the panners where the most dominant groups are ‘Amashurugwi’ and ‘MaZvish’ nick names for those who hail from Shurugwi and Zvishavane. respectively.
“These people identify with different groups and once they start fighting their fights usually escalate to affect ordinary citizens. In a bid to escape, some miners find their way in the communities to seek refuge and safety. Their rivals pursue them and the fighting continues and ends up harming community members,” he said.
Ndlovu added that when the gold panners fail to strike gold, they are usually inclined to prey on anything that can sustain their survival including carrying out robberies.
“In dryer times, when gold is hard to come by, these people try other means of survival and in most cases they turn to other crimes, chiefly robbery. Unfortunately, I happen to be one of their victims as I lost my phone and money to one of them. The most worrying thing is these people are physically strong, most probably due to their mining exertions.The man who robbed me fended off attempts by five residents who tried to intervene and come to my rescue.
Ndlovu also highlighted that a considerable number of girls have not returned to school after falling pregnant with ‘Amabhambadzi’ children.
He pleaded with authorities to make sure that they address the problem.Ndlovu further argued that solving this conundrum would make the community safer for everyone.
“We hope authorities can address this issue once and for all. Only then can our community be safe,” said Ndlovu.
An area called Garikayi – Hlalanikuhle has become a hotspot where locals are scared of passing by the area after 1700 hours as this is where most of Amabhambadzi ambush residents to rob them of their valuables.
Matebeleland Institute for Human Rights aired concern over prostitution and child marriages that have proliferated in areas where gold panning is rampant. MIHR Coordinator, Khumbulani Maphosa said, “We have noted the perpetration of social ills like child marriages by gold miners in different societies due to poverty and other issues. Girls end up getting into relationships with people who have come to their areas in search of greener pastures and this exposes these young girls to risks of diseases and unwanted pregnancy, ” said Maphosa.
Matebeleland South Police Spokesperson, Inspector Mangena said the police are aware of the violence that sometimes spread to communities. He revealed that the force has been inundated with reports of fights often pitting Amashurugwi against AmaFilabusi.
“In Vova Mine we have a case of Amashurugwi versus AmaFilabusi and as law enforcement forces in Matebeleland South, we have policemen that visit such places frequently to make sure there is order,” said Inspector Mangena.
Inspector Mangena also disclosed that the police have managed to arrest a number of these violent illegal gold panners, and that as a way of curbing the violence they have banned carrying of dangerous weapons by the public.
Hwange in Matebeleland North has also not been spared from land degradation. The District Coordinating Committee (DCC), on the 9th of September 2021, invited six Ministers that included Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando, Minister of Environment , Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Nqobizitha M Ndlovu, Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima to Hwange to try and find a lasting solution to the rampant destruction of infrastructure and land degradation by mining companies in the coal mining town.
