Zimpapers Logo

Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
Kwekwe’s Gaika Mine, which recently opened under a Community Ownership Trust, has temporarily stopped operating following the death of two people after a war of machetes broke out at the mine. The gold mine, which had been closed for the past 20 years, was reopened in February following the intervention of Mbizo Legislator Cde Vongaiishe Mpereri.

A community ownership trust was set up to ensure that youths took turns to extract the precious mineral.
But violence reared its ugly head at the mine with machete-wielding youths fighting over pits.

Two people, a security personnel manning the mine and one of the youths, reportedly died while several others were injured as a result of the running battles.

Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mkwende said the reports were yet to reach her office.
“I will check, but I am yet to receive any report of that nature, I will come back to you after confirming,” she said.

Cde Mpereri who chairs the Trust, confirmed the reports and blamed youths from outside Kwekwe for causing the chaos.
“The people who are behind these deaths are not from Kwekwe, they are outsiders who have heard that Gaika is paying and came during the night to steal gold ore that was mined by others,” he said.

Cde Mpereri said activities run from 7am to7 pm every day and no one is allowed to conduct any mining activities during the night.

“We have had problems with people from places like Shurugwi and Zvishavane who come here with evil intentions and to wreak havoc.

“They come during the night when people have knocked off and steal gold ore, that is why they ran into problems with our security personnel,” he said.

“This is the main reason why we do not want outsiders to come in because they cause problems, ever since we resumed operations, we have been working in peace,” said Cde Mpereri.

He however could not be drawn into discussing the deaths saying the matter was in the hands of the police.
He said security measures have been taken to ensure the safety of miners.

“We have managed to resolve the matter but it is unfortunate that I cannot divulge measures that we have taken, but I can assure you that security have been improved and anyone caught with a machete will be dealt with,” he said.
He said operations have since resumed after a schedule with proper details of every member working at the mine was presented to the authorities.

“We have beefed up security. We have also created a register where everyone who is undertaking activities so that we can easily trace them. Those from outside Kwekwe will not be allowed as they cause problems,” he said.

“This is part of our youth empowerment projects and if someone wants to disturb such a programme they will face the consequence. We cannot be disturbed by two or three selfish individuals,” he said.

The mine has reportedly benefited more than 2 000 youths in Kwekwe and surrounding areas like Zhombe and Silobela.