Staff Reporter
ZAKA – A dip tank in Svuure, Zaka South’s Ward 25, is on the brink of disaster due to the activities of artisanal miners. The miners’ relentless pursuit of gold is damaging the surrounding land, putting the dip tank’s structure and purpose at risk.
The dip tank, a critical infrastructure for local livestock owners, is essential for controlling ticks and other parasites that can decimate cattle herds. However, the advancing gold panning activities are causing gullies to form, which are slowly but surely creeping towards the tank.
Ward 25 Councilor Albert Chinanga confirmed the situation and appealed to responsible authority to intervene before it’s too late saying the illegal miners were few meters away from the tank.
The councilor said he once told the headman who once addressed the people but is seems they did not take heed.
“I notified the headman and he even send his officer who talked to the panners but they seem not to listen as they continue working in the area,” said Chinanga.
Headman Nyamutaki real name Maxwell Chaminuka confirmed the development to TellZim and said if not addressed the dip tank could collapse.
“I am aware of the development, and said if the challenge is not addressed the dip tank will collapse. If the area receive heavy rains now it will collapse because the gullies are deep and they are advancing towards the dip tank,” said Nyamutaki
Another local resident called on council and other authorities to intervene and serve the public infrastructure saying if left unattended their cattle will be at risk.
It’s a ticking time bomb and if the dip tank is destroyed, our livestock will be at risk, and our livelihoods will be severely impacted. Remember January diseases is still there and cattle need regular dipping especially this year there is plenty of grass so ticks are there,” said the villager.
The community is anxiously waiting for a solution to the crisis, fearing that if the dip tank is destroyed, it will have far-reaching consequences for their livestock and livelihoods. The situation demands immediate attention from relevant authorities to prevent a disaster.
Recently, Masvingo High Court ordered Bailzone Mining Company to stop mining activities in Chiromo area saying the company’s activities violated constitutional rights of local villagers.
There are also gold mining activities in Zingwena area under Chief Bota in Zaka where panners are allegedly coming from as far as Shurugwi in search of the yellow metal.
