ILLEGAL miners who have been threatening the gravesite of the late former Home Affairs minister and Zapu president, Dumiso Dabengwa, have vacated the place thereby restoring calm and peace in the area.
Dabengwa, who died at the age of 79 in May 2019,was buried alongside his wife Zodwa at Emanxeleni in Ntabazinduna.
He died in Kenya while en route to Zimbabwe from India where he had gone for a medical treatment for a liver ailment
Mabuthweni ward councillor Haward Phangwana told Southern Eye that there is now peace following an outcry by the villagers over the matter.
“There is now peace following the publishing of that article by NewsDay,”Phangwana said.
“The illegal miners (omakorokoza) have vacated the place due to the outcry.
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“They have been instructed to stop their illegal activities.”
He added that the local leadership had also taken measures to work with all responsible authorities such as the police and the Environmental Management Agency to ensure sanity in the area.
Phangwana stated that reports from the police indicate that crime rate has increased in the area due to gold panning.
“Police have indicated that they receive a number of cases such as assaults and rape.
“Some people have sold their homes to allow the illegal miners to do the mining activities.”
Ntabazinduna headman Mathilika Khumalo shared similar sentiments that there is peace in the area.
“There are no reports of violence for now,” Khumalo said.
“Those that are mining here are locals trying to earn a living.”
Zapu president Sibangilizwe Nkomo also condemned the attack on the late national liberation war hero Dabengwa’s grave, adding that they would engage the villagers to find an amicable solution.
Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said he was going to investigate the matter.
“I’m not aware for now, but we will make a follow up on the matter,”he said.