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Gold panner digs under railway line, faces 10 years behind bars
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A daring artisanal miner is facing a possible 10-year prison sentence after being caught illegally digging for gold directly beneath an active railway line in Mvuma - a reckless act that endangered both national infrastructure and human lives.
The miner, whose identity is being withheld pending court appearance, was caught red-handed on Sunday by the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) loss control team as he burrowed beneath the tracks in a desperate bid to extract gold deposits.
In a strongly-worded statement accompanied by shocking images of the damage, NRZ condemned the act, warning that such illegal mining could have triggered a catastrophic train derailment.
"An artisanal gold miner was arrested by NRZ loss control personnel while digging for gold under the railway tracks in Mvuma," read the statement. "As can be seen from the picture, the miner caused extensive damage to the ground under the tracks."
The incident occurred within the protected railway reserve zone, an area spanning 45 metres on either side of the railway line, where any form of mining or excavation is strictly prohibited under the Railways Act. Violations of this nature carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
National Security and Public Safety at Risk
Rail experts say undermining the structural base of the railway bed severely weakens the tracks, posing serious derailment risks-particularly for heavy freight and passenger trains that frequently pass through the area.
"Removing soil beneath the tracks compromises the integrity of the rail system," one rail engineer noted. "Even a minor collapse could have tragic consequences."
The NRZ stressed that it is stepping up surveillance and intensifying patrols across high-risk sections of the rail network. The public is being urged to report any suspicious activities near railway infrastructure, as authorities battle a nationwide surge in illegal mining.
A Cautionary Tale
The suspect is expected to appear in court in the coming days, where prosecutors are reportedly seeking a lengthy custodial sentence to serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.
"The public is warned that it is an offence to prospect for minerals within the railway reserve," NRZ said. "Such reckless behaviour not only violates the law but also poses serious safety risks to rail operations and passengers."
As illegal gold mining continues to spiral across Zimbabwe, this case has ignited fresh debate on the urgent need for tougher enforcement and community awareness to protect critical infrastructure from economic desperation and environmental destruction.
Authorities say this arrest should send a clear and uncompromising message: no amount of gold is worth endangering public safety or tampering with national assets.
The miner, whose identity is being withheld pending court appearance, was caught red-handed on Sunday by the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) loss control team as he burrowed beneath the tracks in a desperate bid to extract gold deposits.
In a strongly-worded statement accompanied by shocking images of the damage, NRZ condemned the act, warning that such illegal mining could have triggered a catastrophic train derailment.
"An artisanal gold miner was arrested by NRZ loss control personnel while digging for gold under the railway tracks in Mvuma," read the statement. "As can be seen from the picture, the miner caused extensive damage to the ground under the tracks."
The incident occurred within the protected railway reserve zone, an area spanning 45 metres on either side of the railway line, where any form of mining or excavation is strictly prohibited under the Railways Act. Violations of this nature carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
National Security and Public Safety at Risk
Rail experts say undermining the structural base of the railway bed severely weakens the tracks, posing serious derailment risks-particularly for heavy freight and passenger trains that frequently pass through the area.
The NRZ stressed that it is stepping up surveillance and intensifying patrols across high-risk sections of the rail network. The public is being urged to report any suspicious activities near railway infrastructure, as authorities battle a nationwide surge in illegal mining.
A Cautionary Tale
The suspect is expected to appear in court in the coming days, where prosecutors are reportedly seeking a lengthy custodial sentence to serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.
"The public is warned that it is an offence to prospect for minerals within the railway reserve," NRZ said. "Such reckless behaviour not only violates the law but also poses serious safety risks to rail operations and passengers."
As illegal gold mining continues to spiral across Zimbabwe, this case has ignited fresh debate on the urgent need for tougher enforcement and community awareness to protect critical infrastructure from economic desperation and environmental destruction.
Authorities say this arrest should send a clear and uncompromising message: no amount of gold is worth endangering public safety or tampering with national assets.
Source - online
