Illegal gold miners have reportedly entered land owned by Zanu-PF Senator Maduke Ndlovu in Matabeleland South, beginning excavation work without approval. The incident came to light when Senator Ndlovu addressed the issue in the Senate, questioning the government’s approach to unauthorized mining on private agricultural land. He described how intruders arrived unexpectedly and started digging, disrupting farming operations and raising concerns about property rights.
Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura responded by labeling the unauthorized mining as a criminal act, stating that current regulations prohibit anyone from pegging claims on farms smaller than 100 hectares without the landowner’s agreement. For larger properties, miners must notify the owner, but do not need explicit permission if the land is not under cultivation. Kambamura noted that proposed changes in the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill aim to bolster protections for landowners, reflecting feedback from the public and agriculture officials. Across Zimbabwe, the rise in illegal mining has led to significant environmental damage, water pollution, and safety hazards, as both local and foreign prospectors encroach on private and ancestral lands.
Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura responded by labeling the unauthorized mining as a criminal act, stating that current regulations prohibit anyone from pegging claims on farms smaller than 100 hectares without the landowner’s agreement. For larger properties, miners must notify the owner, but do not need explicit permission if the land is not under cultivation. Kambamura noted that proposed changes in the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill aim to bolster protections for landowners, reflecting feedback from the public and agriculture officials. Across Zimbabwe, the rise in illegal mining has led to significant environmental damage, water pollution, and safety hazards, as both local and foreign prospectors encroach on private and ancestral lands.
