Fresh twist to Marlborough mining saga

A CASE involving alleged illegal mining at a residential property in Harare's Marlborough suburb has taken a new twist after six people arrested at the site were released when police established they were tenants, while the property owners were acquitted after producing mining permits, raising fresh questions over how mining was authorised in a residential area.

The development comes despite repeated government statements that mining is prohibited in urban residential areas and follows strong condemnation of the operations by Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura.

Sources familiar with the matter said the case has now attracted the attention of senior government officials, with investigations underway into how the permits were issued and whether any officials acted unlawfully.

The sources indicated that legal action could be taken against both those involved in the mining activities and officials responsible for authorising the operation if wrongdoing is established.

Residents have been protesting the mining activities since 2024, alleging that blasting has caused structural damage to nearby homes, excessive noise pollution and heightened safety concerns within the neighbourhood.

The release of the six tenants has also raised fresh questions about the identities of those allegedly directing the mining operation, which residents say has continued despite interventions by the City of Harare, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Dr Kambamura has maintained that Government does not issue mining licences for urban residential areas and has pledged to stop illegal mining activities in Marlborough.

However, residents contend that the operators produced permits issued by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, prompting questions about how the mining activities were authorised despite Government's stated position.

The minister said investigations into the Marlborough case were continuing as authorities intensified efforts to curb illegal mining and safeguard residential communities.

The Environmental Management Agency and the City of Harare had previously ordered the operators to stop blasting at the site, but residents allege the activities continued despite those directives.

Ward 41 Councillor Kudzai Kadzombe told ZiFM Stereo News that officials who recently inspected the property found extensive evidence of mining activity, including damaged windows and roofs as well as approximately nine pits excavated within the residential premises.

She said some of those arrested during the police operation were women and children found at the property and were not necessarily the individuals believed to be responsible for the mining activities.

Residents first reported the blasting operations in 2024, with the matter being investigated under the Mines and Minerals Act before it was referred to the Criminal Investigation Department's Minerals Unit.

ZiFM Stereo News has also reported that the Environmental Management Agency is compiling a report on the matter as investigations continue.

The case has intensified scrutiny over the regulation of mining activities in residential areas and the processes through which mining permits are issued, amid growing concerns from residents and authorities over public safety and environmental protection.