Gold panners wreak havoc in Esigodini

gold panners have reportedly wreaked havoc in Esigodini, Umzingwane district in Matabeleland South province, leaving unclaimed pits that pose a danger to human lives.

Esigodini is well known for rich gold deposits which have seen gold wars erupting, with some resulting in loss of life.

Esigodini villager Sidumisile Sibanda complained about the environmental disaster posed by the gold panners.

"Villagers are in a predicament during this rainy season as illegal miners go around leaving open pits which endanger people and cattle's lives. Every year, people lose their cattle after falling into those deep unclaimed pits."

He said the government should deploy police and rangers to patrol the area so as to curb the activities.

Umzingwane district development co-ordinator Siphathisiwe Mlotshwa declined to comment over the matter.

Zanu-PF Umzingwane legislator, Levi Mayihlome said the police were failing to stop illegal gold mining activities.

"There is nothing I can do I am just an MP but the Mines department, Environmental Management Agency and the police must play their role. Illegal miners continue with their activities and the police are failing to stop them," Mayihlome said.

Reports also indicate that the gold panners are mining gold along the banks of Bulawayo such as Upper Ncema, Inyankuni and Umzingwane in Esigodini, causing heavy siltation and threatening the city's water supplies.

But due to inadequate resources, Bulawayo City Council (BCC) rangers and police are reportedly failing to conduct routine patrols in the affected areas.