Published: 2 hours ago

A major crackdown on illegal gold mining along the Mutare River has forced suspected miners, including Chinese nationals, to flee into nearby mountains, leaving behind heavy machinery and equipment.

The operation, carried out by the Joint Operations Command (JOC)-comprising the Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services-resulted in the seizure of 12 excavators and other high-value equipment allegedly used in illegal alluvial mining.

Authorities say the excavators were found hidden in bushes along the riverbanks in an apparent attempt to evade detection. The suspects, believed to include Chinese nationals running large-scale operations, fled as law enforcement officers moved in.

Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the operation and said additional equipment including wash plants, generators and water pumps were recovered.

Two private security guards-Douglas Maocha (52) and Maxwell Miccah (39)-were arrested after they were found guarding mining equipment concealed in a thicket. A general worker at Yung Tech (Pvt) Ltd, Peter Makunura, was also taken into custody.

The suspects are being held at ZRP Penhalonga for further processing.

In a separate operation, eight individuals were arrested for criminal trespass at Chikanga Farm, while police also confiscated a wide range of mining tools, including shovels, mattocks, submersible pumps, generators and fuel.

Authorities further raided an unregistered tuck-shop near Chikanga Bridge, seizing assorted alcoholic beverages being sold illegally.

Despite a government ban on alluvial mining, illegal activities have persisted along the Mutare River, raising serious environmental concerns. The river has been increasingly degraded by unregulated mining, threatening water quality and downstream communities.

Environmentalists and residents have long called for stronger enforcement, warning that continued mining could cause irreversible damage to the river ecosystem.

Police said the seized equipment remains under armed guard at the site as investigations continue.
- Manica Post

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