Mine owner kicked out by invaders

A MINE  owner in Matobo has lost his mine to invaders who are reportedly being assisted by the government officials in the takeover of the property.

Ndodana Moyo says he has been the owner of the Dandee 5 mine in Matobo, Matabeleland South for 5 years and it surprised him recently to see some outsiders coming claiming to be having ownership papers top take over the mine from him.                                   

The takeover of the mine came a few days after violence broke out between the miner and the invaders who were later assisted by the government officials and the police to take the mine.

Of late the invaders visited the mine and chased away Moyo's workers before settling at the mine to conduct their activities.

Moyo said the problem started in 2020 when they saw the invaders coming to the mine sometime in June and started pegging.

"We asked why they were pegging on our mine and we were advised that there are top government officials who want this mine," said Moyo.

He said he later went to the miners' office to ask why they were allowing some people to peg his mine.

He said a letter was written to the Matabeleland South Provincial Mining Director Khumbulani Mlangeni to stop the special processing, but all yielded no success considering the fact that they have now returned and settled at his mine.

He said the Pmd wrote a letter to the Police to allow the invaders into the mine.

Ministry of mines deputy director Brian Mtewa said he was not in office

Matabeleland South Police spokesperson Loveness Mangena said they had not received the issue.

"We have not yet received such a case," said Mangena.

Mlangeni's mobile was on voicemail.