Government snatches mine from Silobela community

Artisan miners in Silobela have cried foul after the government is alleged to have illegally grabbed a mine under the Silobela Community Development trust and transferred it to the name a local Chief.

An affected artisan miner who spoke to Bulawayo24 said, " We are being illegally evicted from a community mine which is under Silobela Community Development trust.

"The mine has got all of its legal papers to operate but to our surprise, the mine has been changed to our Chief's name Apollo Mhlophe which means he is the sole owner of the mine thus he is the only one benefiting from it meaning the community is now left to suffer."

The miner also revealed that the mine used to benefit thousands of community dwellers. They have tried to take the matter to the courts albeit justice has not prevailed.

"The mine was benefiting almost a thousand families in the society and it was the only source of income for the community members since the unemployment rate in our country is very high.

"We have sought help from the courts but they are denying us justice because there is a top government official involved in the wrangle of the mine between community members and the chief.

"The mines department has transferred the certificate to issue the mine to the chief illegal. We are being victimised by the government."