STAKEHOLDERS in Mashonaland Central Province have been challenged to find a lasting solution to the recurring disruptive illegal artisanal mining activities along Mazowe river which last week, plunged Bindura and parts of Mazowe district into a water crisis.
Bindura Municipality has roped in authorities including the Judicial Service and security details to exert their influence and stop illegal mining practices along Mazowe River
Last week the local authority battled to pump water to its community of over 60 000 residents due to clogging at the water source.
Zimbabwe Republic Police Officer Commanding Mashonaland Central Province Commissioner David Mahoya revealed that illegal miners have been dispersed as part of measures by police to restore sanity in the area.
“We have put in place police details stationed on the source and upstream along Mazowe river up to the dam to deal with illegal miners, further to that we are going to be talking to the farmers, owners of the land to ascertain who are the illegal settlers mainly accused of spearheading illegal mining.We are not going to end there we are carrying out a blitz that will ensure people operate in their places of origin as a starting point,” he said.
According to Bindura Municipality Town Clerk Mr Shangwa Mavesera though challenges of siltation still exist the move to reign in on illegal miners is already paying dividend.
“We have met with other stakeholders to see who can assist in the distillation of the rivers, but the best thing to happen now is that our liaison with police has improved our operations. Before they came in we used 25 bags of Aluminium Sulphate per day which was way beyond normal, but after the intervention we now use about 7bags per day which is phenomenal,” explained Mavesera.
Mashonaland central minister of state Cde Monica Mavhunga urged stakeholders in the province to work towards finding a lasting solution.
“We want the construction of the dam to be completed early hence together with ZINWA we will escalate the issue to a higher office. The message to wash our hands needs consistent supply water hence we can’t be found wanting as a result of a few illegal miners,” she said.
Bindura Municipality has already purchased new pumps to increase its water supply and the city fathers hope for the speedy completion of Masembura dam to increase water reservoirs.
