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Manicaland Correspondent
Farmers in areas around Mutare and Odzi have expressed concern over the activities of illegal panners whom they are accusing of encroaching into their fields, destroying crops. The illegal panners are operating along Mutare River.

Mr Milton Charangwa of Plot 2 said the gold panners were now threatening their yields.
“We are facing a serious challenge in our area as our crops are being destroyed by these miners,” he said.
Mr Charangwa said he risks losing up to eight tonnes of his crop to the gold panners.

He said efforts to drive them away from the farms had proved to be fruitless as they continued encroaching onto the fields.
“My yield is also being affected as they are destroying crops which are yet to be harvested,” he said. “This year, I might lose up to eight tonnes of maize to these miners who have destroyed my crops. I was expecting to produce about 27 tonnes this season.

“When we asked them to leave our premises, they became violent and threatened us. We are now living in fear.”
Mr Charangwa said they had approached the Officer-in-Charge of Penhalonga Police Station over the issue.