News / National
Bulawayo gold panners turn Cecil Pit into crime zone
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The Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) has issued a serious security alert to its students and staff, warning them to exercise extreme caution following a surge in illegal gold panning activities near the Bulawayo City Council pit, located adjacent to the Cecil robots and opposite the New Parklands area.
According to an official notice released by the institution, the area has become increasingly dangerous, with gold panners operating around the clock. ZSM said the site has turned into a hive of activity "day and night," and that the illegal miners are not only digging for gold but have also become a threat to public safety. The school noted that there has been an increase in cases of robberies and assaults in the vicinity, particularly affecting both motorists and pedestrians.
"There is an increase in illegal gold panning activities at the Bulawayo City Council Pit situated next to Cecil robots and opposite New Parklands area," reads the security notice. "These panners are posing a threat to passersby, both motoring as well as pedestrians. Cases of robberies and assaults happening at that area as well as in Killarney have been recorded by police."
In light of these developments, ZSM has advised its community members to avoid unnecessary movement in the affected zones, particularly during early morning and evening hours when visibility is low and the risk is higher. The school also warned motorists to be on high alert when driving near the site, advising them not to stop, pick up passengers, or leave their windows open and doors unlocked.
The notice went further to caution against carrying large sums of money and encouraged the use of registered public transport services, discouraging boarding of private vehicles. ZSM urged all members of the community to report any incidents of crime or suspicious behavior to the Zimbabwe Republic Police at Khumalo Police Station, the Killarney Neighborhood Watch Reaction Group, or the ZSM Security Department.
The growing presence of illegal miners in urban areas like Bulawayo has sparked concerns about rising crime rates and the failure of authorities to clamp down on the operations, which continue to threaten both public safety and infrastructure. The school's warning underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a coordinated response to safeguard residents and students in the area.
According to an official notice released by the institution, the area has become increasingly dangerous, with gold panners operating around the clock. ZSM said the site has turned into a hive of activity "day and night," and that the illegal miners are not only digging for gold but have also become a threat to public safety. The school noted that there has been an increase in cases of robberies and assaults in the vicinity, particularly affecting both motorists and pedestrians.
"There is an increase in illegal gold panning activities at the Bulawayo City Council Pit situated next to Cecil robots and opposite New Parklands area," reads the security notice. "These panners are posing a threat to passersby, both motoring as well as pedestrians. Cases of robberies and assaults happening at that area as well as in Killarney have been recorded by police."
In light of these developments, ZSM has advised its community members to avoid unnecessary movement in the affected zones, particularly during early morning and evening hours when visibility is low and the risk is higher. The school also warned motorists to be on high alert when driving near the site, advising them not to stop, pick up passengers, or leave their windows open and doors unlocked.
The notice went further to caution against carrying large sums of money and encouraged the use of registered public transport services, discouraging boarding of private vehicles. ZSM urged all members of the community to report any incidents of crime or suspicious behavior to the Zimbabwe Republic Police at Khumalo Police Station, the Killarney Neighborhood Watch Reaction Group, or the ZSM Security Department.
The growing presence of illegal miners in urban areas like Bulawayo has sparked concerns about rising crime rates and the failure of authorities to clamp down on the operations, which continue to threaten both public safety and infrastructure. The school's warning underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a coordinated response to safeguard residents and students in the area.
Source - bmetro
