Bulawayo Council nets over US$2,000 in fines

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has collected more than US$2,000 in environmental offence fines for April alone, as it intensifies efforts to combat the surge in illegal gold panning, sand poaching, and other environmentally destructive activities in the city's water catchment areas.

The developments are contained in the council's latest Parks Section report, presented by the Director of Housing and Community Services, Dictor Khumalo, which outlines the extent of illegal activity and enforcement operations conducted last month.

According to the report, 83 surveillance patrols were carried out in April - bringing the cumulative total to 281 patrols since January. These operations, jointly conducted by BCC rangers and Esigodini police, led to the arrest of 12 illegal gold panners, who were handed over to the Esigodini Magistrates' Court for prosecution. The total number of gold panners arrested since January now stands at 16.

"During these operations, 45 tools, including three metal detector machines, were confiscated and handed over to Esigodini police as exhibits," the council minutes state.

Beyond catchment areas, the council said it conducted both routine and extended patrols throughout Greater Bulawayo to address illegal mining, sand poaching, and wood harvesting. These operations resulted in the confiscation of 110 tools, including five sand poaching trucks.

In total, 37 tickets were issued for environmental violations, of which 28 have been paid, netting US$2,175.56. The remaining nine unpaid tickets are valued at US$1,698.28.

Due to ongoing load-shedding, wood poaching has become increasingly problematic. Council rangers impounded five scotch carts and two wheelbarrows used for illegal wood harvesting.

The report also highlighted positive trends, noting a significant reduction in illegal gold panning activities, thanks to continued patrols - 51 of which were conducted in April.

Meanwhile, from legal sand extraction sites, the city collected US$420 from 37 trucks that purchased pit sand.

However, the report flagged persistent challenges, including the influx of stray donkeys, especially in peri-urban suburbs. Council officials cited a lack of resources to manage the issue effectively, as their rangers' utility truck remains under repair.

The BCC says it remains committed to protecting Bulawayo's environment and has appealed for continued community cooperation in reporting environmental crimes.