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Bulawayo residents petition Mnangagwa over police corruption
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Bulawayo residents have petitioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene in the alleged corruption involving police officers at two local stations, Queens Park and Khumalo, where they claim police are protecting illegal miners. The petition, dated November 11, also addressed Commissioner Wiklef Makamacha, Officer Commanding Bulawayo Province, and Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube.
The petitioners raised grave concerns about the involvement of police officers in facilitating illegal mining activities, particularly at Marvel Substation, where they allege that gangs of illegal miners are being protected by senior police officers. According to the petition, over 300 illegal miners from Shurugwi, Gokwe, Tsholotsho, and Kezi are operating in the area under police protection, paying a senior officer US$10,000 per week for safety.
The letter claims that the senior officer uses official government vehicles and firearms to escort the miners, and further accuses a local dealer of purchasing a house for the officer in exchange for protection. The residents allege that in the past six months, multiple deaths have occurred at the hands of these miners, with victims' bodies allegedly being moved in unmarked vehicles by police officers and dumped at city council pits at the corner of Cecil and Coghlan Avenues.
"All these deaths are covered up by the senior police officers stationed at Queens Park, Khumalo Police, and Suburban, who record them as sudden deaths," the petition stated, calling for an investigation into the unusually high number of sudden death cases reported by Khumalo Police Station.
One such alleged victim, Nyoni, was reportedly killed by the illegal miners, with police officers accused of concealing the crime. The petition suggests that Nyoni's body was dumped at the pits and his death falsely recorded as natural.
Residents also raised concerns about another illegal mining operation at a Bulawayo City Council farm, where they claim market gardening permits are being misused by a gold miner to facilitate illicit mining activities. The petitioners allege that more than 10 people have been killed at this site, with their bodies similarly disposed of at the city council dump.
In response to the rising concern, lawyers representing Wolly Dog Mine, Special Grant 7980 in Bulawayo, have also written to Commissioner Makamacha, detailing a case of murder allegedly involving senior police officers who are said to be assisting in covering up the crime. The murder occurred on October 22, 2024, at Marvel Substation, and a homicide investigation has since been opened at Bulawayo Central Police.
As the situation escalates, residents fear for their safety, accusing the police of creating a "mafia" network that not only facilitates illegal mining but also intimidates and kills civilians with impunity. The petitioners are urging the President to act swiftly to end what they see as the widespread corruption and violence that is endangering the lives of ordinary citizens in Bulawayo.
The petitioners raised grave concerns about the involvement of police officers in facilitating illegal mining activities, particularly at Marvel Substation, where they allege that gangs of illegal miners are being protected by senior police officers. According to the petition, over 300 illegal miners from Shurugwi, Gokwe, Tsholotsho, and Kezi are operating in the area under police protection, paying a senior officer US$10,000 per week for safety.
The letter claims that the senior officer uses official government vehicles and firearms to escort the miners, and further accuses a local dealer of purchasing a house for the officer in exchange for protection. The residents allege that in the past six months, multiple deaths have occurred at the hands of these miners, with victims' bodies allegedly being moved in unmarked vehicles by police officers and dumped at city council pits at the corner of Cecil and Coghlan Avenues.
"All these deaths are covered up by the senior police officers stationed at Queens Park, Khumalo Police, and Suburban, who record them as sudden deaths," the petition stated, calling for an investigation into the unusually high number of sudden death cases reported by Khumalo Police Station.
Residents also raised concerns about another illegal mining operation at a Bulawayo City Council farm, where they claim market gardening permits are being misused by a gold miner to facilitate illicit mining activities. The petitioners allege that more than 10 people have been killed at this site, with their bodies similarly disposed of at the city council dump.
In response to the rising concern, lawyers representing Wolly Dog Mine, Special Grant 7980 in Bulawayo, have also written to Commissioner Makamacha, detailing a case of murder allegedly involving senior police officers who are said to be assisting in covering up the crime. The murder occurred on October 22, 2024, at Marvel Substation, and a homicide investigation has since been opened at Bulawayo Central Police.
As the situation escalates, residents fear for their safety, accusing the police of creating a "mafia" network that not only facilitates illegal mining but also intimidates and kills civilians with impunity. The petitioners are urging the President to act swiftly to end what they see as the widespread corruption and violence that is endangering the lives of ordinary citizens in Bulawayo.
Source - southern eye
