'Politicians interfering with Joint Operations Command'

Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa says politicians are interfering with the Joint Operations Command in its duties to curb illegal mining that has sprouted across the country.

Much of the illegal mining has been happening in the Midlands.

"JOC have the capacity to deal with this matter at district level but are however thwarted by political intervention. If one can't respect the security arm at that level, that's where rule of law dies."

Mliswa added that the political interference is putting a bad image on the new dispensation's commitment to rule of law.

"The number of illegal miners and farmers who continue to be given free rein to mines and land must stop as it reflects negatively on the new dispensation and their stance on the rule of law. For as long as there's no order in these two sectors, the economy will continue to suffer."

Responding to Mliswa award winning Journalist Hopewell Chin'ono said, "There is NO political will to disengage from criminality, violation of the Rule of Law, stop corruption and do away with incompetence. Instead as you said weeks ago, we are now heading towards a Mafia State where cabinet Ministers sanction the abuse of the Law without fear."

Minister of State Security in the Office of the President Owen Mudha Ncube has been sucked in the illegal mining activities in Midlands.