Cases of Violence continue to be reported in Mat South Gold Mines
In a space of two weeks, more than three cases of violence in the mining communities of Matabeleland South have been reported, with the latest case being that of Dande 5 gold mine in Matobo District where people alleged to be from Harare invaded the mine, causing huge chaos and conflict.
As reported by Southern Eye, the suspected gang used machetes to violently drive away workers from Dande 5 gold mine claiming they were the real owners of the gold mine.
While the mining sector is the lifeblood of the province, the working environment has become dangerous to human life with recurring reports of miners being severely injured or killed by invaders suspected to be coming from faraway places.
These notorious gangs infamously known as the Machete gangs use all sorts of dangerous weapons to wrack havoc the lives of workers.
An artisanal miner said, “These machete wielding gangs are not miners but criminals that come from faraway places to rob miners of their hard earned gold and chase mine workers from their working areas. They target and attack areas where miners are getting good grades of gold.”
“The police and policy makers must work with locals and peace ambassadors to fight violence and corruption in the mining sector. Residents are best positioned to identify these perpetrators of violence hence the significance of their inclusion in formulating strategies to end violence in the mining sector.”
An artisanal miner from Matobo District said some gangs force young people to work in gold mines. “They don`t consider their safety, what they do is force them to work tirelessly sometimes without pay.
Those who try to stand up for their rights are threatened with death,” the miner said.
Meanwhile, it is imperative to highlight the contributions of peace ambassadors trained by CYDT that have been speaking out against the abuse of artisanal and small scale miners` rights especially in Gwanda and Matobo Districts where cases of violence have increased.
With the help of peace ambassadors that have managed to raise awareness on peaceful ways of resolving conflict in the mining communities, miners have managed to engage The Ministry of Mines so as to rectify the authenticity of the papers brought these groups coming from other districts to raid mines from Matobo and other mining districts within the province.
The organization continue to lobby for the involvement of traditional leaders in the allocation of mining land so as to avoid allocating sacred areas that carry community beliefs.
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