Illegal gold miners employ new tricks
Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday August 22, 2023 11:56
Illegal gold mining has been a source of concern to police in Matsiloje village for some time. Matsiloje is home to several old mines and deposits that ceased operations decades ago. The village is situated along the Zimbabwean border, from where the majority of the illegal gold miners originate.
So severe is the invasion of illegal gold miners in the area that police are arresting up to three per week, while cases constantly feature in the courts.
To give a glimpse into the growing illegal gold mining trend, late in July, two Zimbabwean men, Bhekimpilo Tau (36) and Thembani Nkomo (41), appeared in court where they were charged with illegal gold mining, and illegally entering the country. The men pleaded guilty to the charges before Francistown Magistrate, Thapelo Buang.
Two weeks ago, Khetas Sibanda, 16, Kelvin Maposa, 43, Matshidza Sibanda, 33, and Kholwani Sibanda, 39, were also charged with illegal mining. It is alleged that the four, on July 26 at or near Rainbow Mine in Matsiloje, were found unlawfully in possession of minerals. The quartet was also charged with unlawful possession of unwrought precious metals.
This week, other Zimbabweans appeared in court in relation to illegal gold mining activities although details into the case are still sketchy. Almost all those who have been arrested for these illegal activities in recent times are Zimbabweans who enter the country illegally.
The new trend of using metal detectors and digging virgin ground, represents a new frontier in the fight against illegal gold mining for Matsiloje and surrounding areas.
“Of late we have noticed a trend where those who mine the gold illegally dig their own sites,” Matsiloje acting station commander Senior Superintendent Charles Mbengwa told Mmegi this week.
“This is unlike in the past where they targeted mines that are no longer in use.
“They appear well-equipped to carry out such activities (dig their own sites).”
Mbengwa was speaking in an interview just days after members of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) raised concerns about illegal mining activities in Matsiloje.
Appearing before the Committee this week, Minerals and Energy permanent secretary, Ellen Richard-Madisa, acknowledged that authorities were struggling to rein in the illegal activity in the area.
PAC chair and Francistown South MP, Wynter Mmolotsi, had expressed concern that his constituency and surrounding areas have been taken over by brazen illegal gold miners, who operate with apparent immunity.
“The influx of our neighbours who, deliberately and without hiding, mine gold illegally, is something that should be dealt with urgently.
“They even do it in shifts.
“If not dealt with, the illegal gold mining can throw the country into chaos,” Mmolotsi said.
Although police have said that the illegal gold mining trend is prevalent among foreigners, Mmolotsi stated that some Batswana have started joining the illegal trade.
For her part, Richard-Madisa said Ministry officials have been to Matsiloje and the situation (illegal gold mining) is very disturbing. She promised that the Ministry will improve the surveillance in the area.
“We are working closely with the police and soldiers to monitor the situation,” she said.
Law enforcement authorities confirm that the scourge is on the rise. Mbengwa estimates that police arrest an average of three illegal miners each week, while the penalties for such activities are failing to act as a deterrent.
The acting station commander said the prescribed penalties for those convicted of illegal mining are not that stiff, but this may not be the reason behind the surge in the illegal activity.
“From our observations, the people who engage in illegal mining are those who are on a mission to commit the crime regardless of the consequences. They are hell-bent on committing the crime.”
Sentences for those convicted of illegal gold mining have averaged three months. In May this 36-year-old Thabani Sibanda was fined P1,000 for unlawfully mining gold, with the threat of a three-month term should he fail to make the payment.
The courts in Francistown are also deeply frustrated by the growing illegal mining activities in the Matsiloje area. When sentencing Sibanda, magistrate Game Mooketsi, decried that cases of illegal gold mining in Botswana are a serious concern.
“Of late, our courts have been inundated by cases of illegal mining that are perpetrated by foreigners from Zimbabwe.
“Society expects the courts to send people who commit crimes to jail.
“Society also looks upon the courts to protect it from people who violate the law,” Mooketsi said.
The main motivation appears to be poverty, a product of the ailing Zimbabwe economy. In fact, when they speak in mitigation after their convictions, most of the illegal gold miners, such as Sibanda, often tell the court that they are breadwinners for their respective families.
But where is all the gold going to?
According to Mbengwa, there are unconfirmed reports that the gold mined illegally in Botswana is sold in other neighbouring countries where it is mixed into legal channels and sold further down the line. Those who buy the said gold allegedly have legitimate trading licenses or rights and the market for illegal gold in countries such as Zimbabwe is said to be very lucrative.
Despite the surge in activity, Mbengwa believes that illegal gold mining activities can be successfully stamped out if security along the borderline is strengthened. The surge in criminal activities in Matsiloje and the frequent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease have been attributed to the porous border between Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Mbengwa said that despite a lack of resources and competing priorities, police have been trying to intensify their patrols in the area with a view to countering crimes such as illegal gold mining.
“Batswana should also help us to fight this scourge.
“Lately, they have been doing well in terms of reporting suspicious activities such as illegal gold mining.
“We continue to encourage them not to be part and parcel of this illegal activity.”