Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
NEARLY 70 people have been arrested during a week-long police operation targeting illegal mining settlements in Mazowe District amid rising cases of violent crime and unlawful mining activities.
The operation, dubbed No to Lawlessness, was launched last Sunday and focuses on dismantling illegal settlements at Stories Mine and Jumbo Mine, where authorities say criminal activities had escalated.
What began as small-scale mining operations at Stories Mine reportedly evolved into sprawling informal settlements marked by illegal mining, unauthorised structures, shebeens and rising cases of robbery and murder.
Police say the crackdown is aimed at restoring order and public safety in the district.
Officer Commanding Mazowe District, Chief Superintendent Gladman Chiparaushe, said the operation has already yielded significant results.
“The district launched an operation against lawlessness. We want to restore order and public safety, specifically targeting Jumbo and Stories Mine. There was an upsurge in serious crimes and sudden death cases,” he said.
“Illegal mining was being practised along railway lines and feeder lines, and it had spread to residential areas. We have so far recorded 68 arrests. Four people were charged under the Railways Act, while 65 were charged for criminal trespassing.”
Chief Superintendent Chiparaushe said police also recovered mining equipment and alcohol during the raids.
“We recovered 25 hammer mill engines, eight generators, five wingers, four pumps and liquor. A total of US$1 440 was collected in fines,” he added.
Before the operation began, police reportedly warned residents and illegal miners to vacate the settlements. However, some initially resisted the move.
“We have no other job; this is what is sustaining us, and we do not want to leave this place,” one illegal miner said.
A vendor operating in the area said the operation had disrupted livelihoods.
“I survived by selling to these miners. I was not given much notice to leave, and with schools opening, I do not know what to do,” the vendor said.
Despite the initial resistance, authorities say compliance improved as the operation progressed, with police pledging to continue monitoring and conducting raids to curb illegal mining and crime in Mazowe District.
