Killarney, Woodville and Mahatshula suburbs in Bulawayo’s Ward 3, are facing severe land degradation and infrastructure damage due to rampant illegal gold panning.
This problem extends beyond Ward 3, affecting various regions across the country rich in mineral resources.
Ward 3 is home to Old Nic Mine, a large underground gold extraction site.
However, the presence of gold in other parts of the ward has attracted a surge of artisanal miners, known locally as Amakorokoza. Their activities have led to significant land degradation and damage to infrastructure.
A CITE news team visited several affected sites, witnessing firsthand the extensive damage left behind by the artisanal miners.
These miners search for gold in undeveloped residential and business plots and along the Umguza River.
Jabulani Dabengwa, the residents’ chairperson in Killarney, described how the miners operate under the cover of darkness, leaving visible damage by morning. He noted that in some cases, they dig dangerously close to pre-cast walls, weakening the structures, which could collapse under strong winds or heavy rains.
“Amakorokoza come here looking for gold. They dig on undeveloped plots, often at night, and carry dangerous weapons, making it difficult for us residents to chase them away,” Dabengwa explained.
He added, “When they dig around residential plots, they weaken nearby structures, which can collapse. They also damage underground water pipes—there’s a nearby area where they broke a water pipe.”
Dabengwa urged the police and city council to collaborate and increase security personnel to conduct more patrols and curb these illegal mining activities.
Isaac Donga, the residents’ chairperson for Mahatshula, expressed concerns about the environmental damage to the Umguza River, warning that it could disrupt water flow during the rainy season.
“The damage here is extensive. These artisanal miners leave behind uncovered pits, whether they find gold or not. They don’t look back at the destruction they’ve caused,” Donga said.
He added, “We are already struggling with water shortages. When the rains come, water from the Umguza River feeds into the Gwayi River, which is crucial for the Gwayi-Shangani project. With such degradation, the water flow will be severely affected. We need the police and council to deploy security forces to protect our land from Amakorokoza.”
Another resident, speaking anonymously, highlighted the growing crime linked to illegal miners, saying it has left the community in fear.
“We don’t understand why no effective measures have been put in place to address these issues. We expect the police, city council, and organisations like the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to act, but nothing has been done. Now, our land is being degraded, and our infrastructure is suffering, leaving the burden on us as a community,” the resident said.
