Zim female gold panner arrested twice in four months in Botswana

A Zimbabwean female gold panner has been arrested twice in the neighbouring Botswana in four months.

Reports state that, apparently unable to resist the lure of gold, four months after she was released from prison for illegal mining, she went back behind bars for allegedly committing the same crime again.

Lucadia Ndlovu (39) was initially arrested in October last year, when she was found digging for gold at the old Matsiloje Mines.

Back then, Ndlovu was in Botswana illegally, and she told the court she was driven to the dirt by desperation and the need to support her hungry children back home in Tsholotsho village.

She was fined P100, but she was unable to pay and served a month in jail instead.

 Reports state that Ndlovu is said to have sneaked back into the country to continue her gold hunt.

He was arrested by police officers on patrol and with another woman, Sharon Ndlovu (32) at the abandoned mines.

Ndlovu was found in possession of unwrought precious metals suspected to be gold, the border-jumpers were arrested.

She appeared before Francistown Magistrates Court together with Sharon and the two women were remanded in custody after State Prosecutor, Chilume Mpena pointed out they were a flight risk.