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Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
People caught poaching sand and illegal quarrying in Harare will be arrested and the vehicles used impounded as the activities are illegal, Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) for Harare Metropolitan Mr Tafadzwa Muguti has said.

Sand poaching, quarry mining and brick moulding without permits in and around Harare, have increased over the last few months, resulting in massive land degradation.

Among the many areas where environmental damage is severe are the space next to the road block at Vitalis Zvinavashe Road turn off along Seke Road, and near the Mbudzi Roundabout in Waterfalls, at a place commonly referred to as Masteps.

Mr Muguti said his office had noted with concern the high levels of illegal sand poaching and quarry mining in the province.

“These illegal activities by unregistered operators at various unregistered sites have caused serious land degradation, injuries to people, mostly children and siltation of water sources around Harare. Meanwhile, a total area of about 445 hectares has been affected in Harare alone, let alone Ruwa, Chitungwiza and Epworth.

“The office of the PDC would like to inform the public that it is a serious crime to poach sand and quarry illegally. Anyone found mining sand and quarrying illegally will be arrested, whilst their vehicles and equipment will be impounded.

“All local authorities have been encouraged to charge hefty fines to all offenders,” he said.

Companies carrying out legal sand  extraction and quarry mining should have all the requisite documentation from relevant authorities.

“Those conducting sand and quarry mining operations are required to have onsite, certified copies of their company registration documents, directors’ identification, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority registration certificate, National Social Security Authority registration certificate, Ministry of Mines permit, Environmental Management Authority permit, local authority business permit and a valid Vehicle Inspection Department road fitness certificate for vehicles transporting sand.

“The office of the PDC would like to urge the public to report any suspected illegal sand and quarry mining activities to the nearest police station as the province now has zero tolerance for lawlessness and will ensure that all offenders are prosecuted,” Mr Muguti said.

In an exclusive story recently, The Herald established that extensive sand poaching in Harare and Chitungwiza had damaged up to 721 hectares of land, amid reports that some top council officials were corruptly turning a blind eye to the illegal activities.

Understaffed Environmental Management Authority officials conduct occasional raids, but it is understood that the profits are huge since sand sells for US$6 to US$8 a cubic metre at the poaching points to those using their own transport, and far more if delivered.

The only costs are the bribes since the sand is stolen.