Residents in Ward 3, New Parklands, have urged Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to urgently clear overgrown grass and shrubs around a council-owned sand pit in Khumalo, warning that the dense vegetation is providing cover for illegal miners and heightening risks of crime in the area.
The Khumalo borrow pit has long supplied gravel for road construction and other civil works in the city’s Eastern Suburbs and Central Business District. Last year, the council estimated that backfilling the pit would cost over US$4 million (US$4,108,800) and could take up to six months to complete.
Residents say the situation has worsened in recent months, with large groups of illegal miners now operating close to roads, rather than within the pit itself.
“Over the years we have seen illegal miners at the council sand pit, but last year break-ins increased. The miners were chased away, and the break-ins stopped,” said Yemurai Nyoni, a local resident. “They are back this year as a larger group, and we feel abandoned because they operate close to our homes.”
Nyoni said the miners’ presence has created direct safety risks. “Recently, a suspected miner reportedly jumped into a resident’s yard while fleeing a fight. We are worried this could escalate.”
Residents have approached police for assistance, but officers reportedly advised that enforcement would be more effective if the council cleared the overgrown areas. “We don’t have the ability to act ourselves. We are asking the authorities to safeguard the area,” Nyoni said.
He also questioned the role of council rangers, who are meant to protect municipal resources. “We rarely see them. We want to see action and accountability to restore trust and safety,” he said.
Another resident, identified only as Siziba, said the presence of illegal miners is frightening for commuters. “These miners appear from behind bushes where people wait for transport. It is dangerous. Council needs to trim the long grass and close down the illegal mines,” he said, adding that poor street lighting compounds the risks.
Ward 3 councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu confirmed that residents had formally reported the problem. “We are making arrangements. There are council guards manning the pit,” he said.
A visit to the site on Wednesday found tall grass and shrubs providing hiding spots, as well as large stones blocking vehicle access. Residents insist that clearing the vegetation and increasing visible enforcement is key to restoring safety and confidence in the area.
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