Gold panners, poachers overwhelm Bulawayo

Continuous joint operations by Bulawayo City Council (BCC) rangers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) against illegal gold panners and sand poachers in the city's water catchment areas appear to be failing to curb the activities, council has revealed.

The latest concerns follow an incident in which a council ranger allegedly shot dead an illegal gold panner during a raid. The ranger has since been arrested and remanded in custody until February 26, 2026.

The developments are contained in the latest council report from the parks section, presented by the director of housing and community services, Dictor Khumalo, who outlined the extent of environmental degradation in the affected areas.

"Water catchment area joint patrols had been conducted by BCC rangers jointly with the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Esigodini," the report said.

"During these patrols, eight illegal gold panners were arrested and handed over to Esigodini courts for prosecution. During their operation, a total of 86 tools, including four detector machines, were confiscated and handed over to Esigodini police as exhibits."

However, the report noted that during skirmishes between rangers and panners, council ranger Sizakele Moyo shot and killed one illegal gold panner. Moyo has since been remanded in custody pending further court proceedings.

The council last year considered establishing a permanent base for rangers and municipal police at the city's water catchment areas in Matabeleland South, amid growing concerns that raids and patrols were not deterring illegal miners and sand poachers.

Gold panners pose a serious threat to Bulawayo's water sources through siltation and pollution of dams. Despite repeated arrests and confiscation of equipment, reports indicate that the panners and sand poachers often return soon after operations conclude.

This has forced authorities to reconsider the option of a permanent security presence near the water catchment areas.

In greater Bulawayo, the report said patrols were also conducted to address illegal mining, sand poaching and wood harvesting. One truck was impounded for illegal sand extraction, while 70 tickets were issued for various offences.

"Illegal sale of firewood on donkey-drawn scotch carts was prevalent around the city due to power outages," the report stated, adding that the modus operandi of wood poachers had shifted to operating at night to evade arrest.

While surveillance indicated a reduction in illegal gold panning in some areas, open-air worship was described as a continuing "menace," with rangers confiscating items from seven sites.

The council highlighted major operational challenges, including staff shortages and inadequate vehicles.

"Rangers at the water catchment area were overwhelmed by the numbers of illegal gold panners who resisted vacating restricted areas," the report said.

Stray livestock were also cited as a persistent problem in several suburbs, with the responsible unit described as "highly incapacitated" due to transport constraints.

The Zimbabwe National Army has also raised concerns over encroachment by sand poachers and gold panners into the ZNA Bulawayo District cantonment and training areas. Illegal miners have further encroached onto the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) premises.

Bulawayo has previously experienced large-scale invasions by gold panners. In 2017, more than 200 panners reportedly descended on Matsheumhlope suburb, operating within about 20 metres of residential homes.