News / National
Grace Mugabe blamed for panners menace
15 Jun 2015 at 07:23hrs | Views
First Lady Grace Mugabe has been blamed for the upsurge in gold panning in Bindura that is now threatening the social fabric after she berated authorities for clamping down on illegal miners during her rallies against former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.
According to government officials in Mashonaland Central Province, gold panners at Kitsiyatota in Bindura have become uncontrollable.
The panners have caused environmental and health challenges with organisations like the Environmental Management Agency, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Bindura Town Council watching helplessly.
Officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said the First Lady's sentiments had precipitated chaos in the area with uncontrolled mining operations putting a lot of lives at risk.
The First Lady's name was invoked recently when government gave vendors an ultimatum to stop operating from undesignated points, but Zanu-PF argued that her statements were being twisted. Zanu PF said the First Lady was against illegal vending.
According to government officials in Mashonaland Central Province, gold panners at Kitsiyatota in Bindura have become uncontrollable.
Officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said the First Lady's sentiments had precipitated chaos in the area with uncontrolled mining operations putting a lot of lives at risk.
The First Lady's name was invoked recently when government gave vendors an ultimatum to stop operating from undesignated points, but Zanu-PF argued that her statements were being twisted. Zanu PF said the First Lady was against illegal vending.
Source - newsday
