THE Vubachikwe Mine community in Gwanda rural, has recently been grappling with the challenge of illegal mining, which caused significant damage to the community’s infrastructure as well as increased crime rate.
Most recently, the illegal miners dug just below the main road running to both Vubachikwe and Blankets mines, causing severe safety and environmental concerns.
The situation has worsened to the extent that criminal activities, such as robberies and theft, became rampant, whilst machete gangs have reportedly emerged, creating an unsafe environment.
In response to the threat on infrastructure, Vubachikwe Mine, which is located nearby, joined hands with Blanket Mine and the Civil Protection Unit as well as the police force to resolve the issue of the burrowed road.
The parties came together with Blanket, taking a leading role in the provision of earthmoving equipment, rehabilitating the road as well as creating a detour road that traffic could use whilst the main road was being rehabilitated.
“Having seen that the road had been destroyed albeit where one could not ordinarily see the damage, all parties came together under the stewardship of the Civil Protection Unit and our neighbours Blanket Mine to take ownership and a leading role to fix the road and create an alternative road during the period,” said Vubachikwe Mine manager,Mr None Kananji.
As the road was destroyed on a patch of land on mining lease 16, where Vubachikwe lies, Mr Kananji was at the heart of the crisis, with stakeholders coming together for a common cause, in what was a time for neighbourly unity and response to a crisis that united a community.
Just recently, a similar desecration of the road happened in nearby West Nicholson, with the road giving way, also caused by illegal miners, in an issue that was widely reported in various media across the nation.
Illegal miners have been on the prowl, by and large unchecked, following an illegal rowdy strike led by rogues on the Vubachilwe workforce on November 8, 2022. The Vubachikwe Mine was forced to close down as a result of the barbaric protests that destroyed facilities and equipment.
Another mine spokesperson confirmed the unity of purpose and celebrated the role of neighbours Blanket Mine, for stepping up to the plate.
“The road was desecrated. Consequently, the road was closed, and an alternative road was proposed through the Civil Protection Unit committee grouping.
“To this end, Blanket Mine, another nearby mine, stepped forward and assisted Vubachikwe Mine, with equipment and manpower to pave the detour.”
The Vubachikwe Mine management, further expressed gratitude to Blanket Mine for their collaboration in cushioning the problem that had arisen.
“We are immensely grateful to our neighbours who collaborated with us to cushion the impact of the problem that we were facing.Blanket Mine went above and beyond our expectations by not hesitating to lend a helping hand.
“They provided more than what we anticipated for the paving of the alternative road. We express our heartfelt gratitude to Blanket Mine,” said Mr Kananji.
He further expressed concern about the current situation in the community. He cited an increase in criminal activities and the destruction of public infrastructure.
He also mentioned the emergence of machete gangs, which has led to a surge in robberies and theft.
This has created an environment of insecurity, which requires urgent attention and intervention.
The local mine is not equipped to handle these challenges alone.
Mr Kananji, humbly requested support t from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), to help address the issue and restore peace and order in the community, something they have already started working on with policing authorities.
“There are widespread criminal activities around, and people are recklessly destroying infrastructure and machete gangs are starting to emerge within the community, robberies and theft have been uncontrollably increasing. This is creating an unsafe environment and a hot spot where crime seems legal.
“Our local security is not adequately equipped or capacitated to take care of these issues, so we would need support from ZRP and related bodies to continue and help curb the increasing crime activities,” implored Mr Kananji.
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