Fresh twist to Marlborough mining saga

STAFF WRITER

Six people arrested over alleged illegal mining at a residential property in Marlborough suburb were released after police realized they were only tenants while the owners were acquitted in court after producing permits, a development that presents a new twist to the saga condemned by Mines Minister Polite Kambamura as illegal.

It emerged that despite government condemnation and a standing law on prohibiting mining in residential areas, the owners were awarded a permit raising fears it could have been awarded illegally.

Sources say the issue has attracted the interest of higher offices in government and a probe is now underway on the issue with indications pointing to legal action being taken against the miners and the offices that gave them permission to mine.

Residents have been protesting the operations, which began in 2024 and are alleged to have caused damage to nearby houses, noise pollution and growing fear in the neighbourhood.

The release of the six tenants has raised fresh questions over the identity of those behind the operation, which residents say has continued despite repeated interventions by the City of Harare, the Environmental Management Agency and the police.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura said the government does not issue mining licences for urban residential areas and pledged to stop illegal mining activities in Marlborough.

However, residents claim the mine was given the green light to operate by the same ministry, and the continued activity has left them questioning how the operations have persisted despite the government’s position and previous interventions.

Dr Kambamura said investigations into the Marlborough case were continuing as authorities intensified efforts to curb illegal mining and protect residential communities.

The Environmental Management Agency and the City of Harare previously ordered the operators to stop blasting, but residents say the activities continued.

Ward Councillor Kudzai Kadzombe told  this publication that authorities who recently visited the property found extensive signs of excavation, including damaged windows and roofing, as well as about nine pits dug within the premises.

She said some of those arrested were women and children found at the property, but were not necessarily the people believed to be behind the alleged mining activities.

Residents first reported blasting at the property in 2024 under the Mines and Minerals Act, with the matter subsequently referred to the CID Minerals Unit for investigation.

This publication has learnt that the Environmental Management Agency is said to be compiling a report on the matter.