KWEKWE miner, Shepard Tundiya, who allegedly claims close links to Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander Constantine Chiwenga, on Monday made a killing after he extracted 80kg of gold from a disputed Zhombe gold mine in a fresh gold rush that has hit the Midlands city.
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
Tundiya, who has claimed ownership of Dundrum 1 Mine, reportedly extracted alluvial gold worth nearly $3,2 million, in defiance of a Ministry of Mines directive stopping mining activities at the site.
He is alleged to have bribed mining officials to access the gold mine using a fake certificate.
Tundiya allegedly started mining on Sunday night after police allegedly dispersed fellow miner, Milton Marufu and members of the Mafshgevin syndicate, who have been claiming ownership of the mine since last month.
New details emerging show the mine belongs to Franco Pullen, who, through his lawyer, Thomas Militao, has accused the police and the Mines ministry of corruption.
“We are approaching the courts because what we have seen is the abuse of State machinery to conduct illegal mining with impunity for self-interest and blatant corruption,” Militao said.
He accused provincial mining commissioner, Malcom Mazemo and Midlands police boss, Abigail Moyo of failing to enforce the law.
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Militao said the certificate used by Tundiya had no co-ordinates.
Mazemo on July 5 instructed the police to ensure that all mining activities at the disputed mine be stopped until the matter had been resolved.
“We have received reports that there is continued presence of illegal miners roaming within and without Dundrum 1 Mine. The stoppage of mining operations still remains in force pending a review of our determination by our head office and as such the provincial co-odinator of Minerals Border Control Unit should ensure that law and order prevails at the disputed location and no mining operations should take place until determination is served to both parties after review,” Mazemo’s letter read.
Mafshgevin lawyer, Valentine Mutatu, in a letter to Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, said his clients were shocked to see mining activities resuming under police watch when the dispute had not been resolved.
“My clients are still waiting for communication from the ministry of mines, but already mining operations have started and this begs the question on whose authority and why,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Tundiya yesterday became hostile and threatened unspecified action on the NewsDay journalist.
“Don’t write my name because if you do, I know you, I will hunt you down and will show you my true colours. You won’t even like me young man. I assume you know that after I am done with you, the police will not even touch me,” he said.
“I have no dispute with anyone and those two (Marufu and Masfshgevin) are just fighting me because I have made a killing.”
