TellZim Reporter
Concerns have been raised at Masvingo City Council over continued illegal mining activities taking place on the hills adjacent to Hillside suburb with fears that continuous environmental degradation can lead to serious consequences on part of residents.
The hills are where the city’s water storage tanks are situated.
Speaking during a full council meeting held on March 27 at the Civic Centre councillor Alec Tabe called upon the local authority to devise ways to ensure safety is guaranteed for the residents and their properties adjacent to the hills.
“What mitigatory measures have council especially the Public Works Committee put in place concerning the threats posed to residents and properties as well as council water storage tanks by the continued illegal mining activities by artisanal miners?
“We have witnessed enormous destruction resulting from such illegal activities with the recent example being of that primary school in Kwekwe (Phoenix) which succumbed to illegal mining,” said Tabe.
Public Works Committee chairperson Sengerayi Manyanga said it would be proper for council led by the Town Clerk (Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa) and Mayor Collen Maboke to engage stakeholders like the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to address the issue.
“I think the matter needs to be deliberated on in the public works committee but we would also ask the TC and Mayor to help us in form of even writing an official letter to the police to help stop the activities since we passed a resolution against such activities.
“The ZRP maybe the rightful authority to help us address the issue by arresting the culprits as that may also be helpful. If there is need for us to invite the ZRP as part of engagement efforts and ask them to work alongside our municipal police, then we can go that way. Some of these activities may be done during the night,” said Manyanga.
