BULAWAYO City Council is concerned about ongoing illegal gold mining activities along riverbeds in the Umzingwane catchment area.
The illegal mining activities are reported to be affecting rainwater inflows into the city’s supply dams such as Umzingwane, Inyankuni, Upper Ncema, Lower Ncema and Mtshabezi.
According to latest council minutes, mayor David Coltart said the situation at the city’s supply dams was not pleasing.
“There was a lot of mining activity along the riverbed. A lot of illegal mining activities were observed,” the minutes read.
“There was a mine situated 3km away from the Criterion Water Works. The area is part of the Umzingwane River course.
“A trench had been dug in the middle of the river by earth-moving equipment. The Umzingwane River and Mtshabezi River are very close to each other separated by a mountain.
“The distance is less than 10km; Umzingwane River is at 35% capacity, while Mtshabezi River is 100% full.”
An Zimbabwe national water major dam level update dated February 25 showed that Umzingwane is at 34,9% full, Inyankuni (19,9%), Upper Ncema (41,1%), Lower Ncema (33,4%) and Mtshabezi (100%).
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Council noted that the difference is that Umzingwane River was affected by mining activities along its course and the riverbed.
Indications were that enforcement was lacking and the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Environmental Management Agency officers were not on the ground.
“The central government issued Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024 (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (No 3), which prohibits alluvial mining and prospecting in or along any river or public stream in Zimbabwe.
“Municipal police and rangers have no capacity to control these activities, hence the need to engage other stakeholders,” the minutes read.
Indications were that council will raise concern with the Local Government and Public Works ministry over the matter.
“The issue of water impacts the rule of law and effective enforcement is needed.”
