Police in Guruve, Mashonaland Central Province, are currently investigating a murder incident that took place on October 24, 2024, at a local gold mine.
The incident involves a security guard, identified as Simon Chiunye, aged 36, who is accused of fatally shooting a man named Masango Titus, aged 33, using a Huglo shotgun.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said Masango was part of a group of illegal gold panners who had invaded the mine, which has been a growing issue in the region.
According to initial reports, the situation escalated when Masango and other gold panners attacked Chiunye, prompting him to use his firearm in self-defence. The confrontation resulted in Masango being shot in the head, leading to his death.
Following the incident, Chiunye sustained injuries during the altercation and was subsequently admitted to a hospital in Harare for treatment. Police said:
<blockquote>
Police in Guruve are investigating a case of murder which occurred on 24/10/24 at a gold mine. A security guard, Simon Chiunye (36) shot dead Masango Titus (33) with a Huglo shotgun on the head.
The victim was part of illegal gold panners who had invaded the mine. The suspect was attacked by the gold panners and is currently admitted at a hospital in Harare.
</blockquote>
Illegal mining activities in gold-producing areas across the country have led to conflicts between miners and security personnel, raising concerns about safety and law enforcement in these areas.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A security guard named Simon Chiunye is being investigated for shooting and killing a man named Masango Titus at a gold mine. Titus was part of a group of illegal gold miners who invaded the mine. Chiunye used his shotgun in self-defense when he was attacked by the miners. Chiunye was injured in the confrontation and is now in the hospital. Illegal mining has caused conflicts between miners and security guards in Zimbabwe.

Security Guard Faces A Murder Charge For Killing Intruder At A Gold Mine

Residents of Bulawayo’s Ward 2 are outraged by illegal gold panning occurring along the Matsheumhlope River, situated between the Northend and Tegela suburbs, which is resulting in massive environmental degradation.
In a message shared within the community’s Ward 2 WhatsApp group, which was seen by <a href="https://cite.org.zw/illegal-mining-wreaks-havoc-on-matsheumhlope-river/">CITE</a>, resident Helmand Shoko said he was alarmed after discovering the situation during a walk along the river on October 5. He said:
<blockquote>
I witnessed the extent of the destruction being done by gold panners. The environmental damage is now a serious concern. I did not make a citizen’s arrest, but I warned and escorted one of the panners away.
</blockquote>
Shoko urged the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and local councillors to take immediate action, adding that there was a need for regular patrols in vulnerable areas to protect the environment.
Another concerned resident, Dubley, called for community unity and urged residents to organise themselves and make citizen arrests.
He shared his own struggles with a different neighbourhood issue—an ongoing battle to enforce noise regulations.
Dudley explained that it took a lot of effort to prompt local police to take decisive action. He said the lack of broader community support made the challenge even more difficult. He said:
<blockquote>
My neighbour and I had to go through hell before our honourable Officer-In-charge took decisive and strong action to control the noise as per the by-laws. Nobody within this forum supported us in our terrible struggle.
If you want any change to happen -take remedial steps as soon as you see the root causes of the problem. Take steps immediately through the law enforcement agents.
</blockquote>
In an interview with CITE, Ward 2 Councillor Rendani Moyo conceded that there is an increase in illegal mining activities in suburban areas due to a lack of enforcement of relevant laws against the practice. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
I am concerned about the proliferation of illegal mining activities in suburban areas. This points to a lack of enforcement and we are currently in a conversation with other stakeholders to find a solution to this menace.
These activities frequently lead to land degradation, and pollution, and create dangerous open pits, putting residents, particularly children, at risk of injury or even death.
Illegal mining in these areas is not just about extracting resources unlawfully, it is also causing massive damage to our infrastructure and putting people’s lives at risk not to mention the possibility of violence.
</blockquote>
In August 2024, the government of Zimbabwe imposed an immediate ban on riverbed mining or alluvial mining due to its detrimental effects on the environment.
Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said alluvial mining has significantly contributed to water pollution, siltation, and the degradation of river channels, disrupting vital riverine ecosystems.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Illegal gold mining is causing big problems on Matsheumhlope River in Bulawayo. Residents are upset about the damage to the environment. They want the Environmental Management Agency and local councillors to take action. People are also being urged to work together and make citizen arrests. There is concern that illegal mining activities are increasing due to a lack of enforcement of laws. The government has already banned riverbed mining because it is hurting the environment. It's important to protect the river and the people who live nearby.

Illegal Gold Mining Wreaks Havoc On Matsheumhlope River

Illegal gold miners are reportedly digging tunnels and pits close to three historical monuments in Globe and Phoenix, Kwekwe, leaving the properties facing possible collapse.
The properties affected are the Paper House, where Rhodesia founder Cecil John Rhodes reportedly once stayed, which are part of Globe and Phoenix Mine museums, which also include a former “royal palace” now being used as a guest house by Kwekwe Consolidated Gold Mines trading as Homestake Mining Company.
Both the Paper House and the former palace are about 200 metres from the Kwekwe central business district (CBD).
The illegal gold mining activities have destroyed roads, streetlights, and other infrastructure in the Globe and Phoenix suburb.
Kwekwe town clerk Lucia Mkandla confirmed the issue to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200003215/gold-panners-besiege-kwekwe-monuments">NewsDay</a>. She said:
<blockquote>
Yes, we are aware of complaints of some gold panners who have encroached onto people’s homes and some infrastructure.
These are poachers who are just trying to extract the minerals illegally. We have since notified the police and they are handling the matter. Therefore, I can’t comment further on the matter.
</blockquote>
Earlier this year, authorities at Globe and Phoenix Primary School warned that the same gold panners were posing a danger to the institution.
One of the Globe and Phoenix residents, Rosemary Adolfo, wrote a letter to the Kwekwe City Council on 1 November 2022 pleading with the city fathers to intervene and curb illegal gold mining activities in the area. She wrote:
<blockquote>
With all due respect, I am writing to notify you about the worsening state of roads and trees and the absence of streetlights in Globe and Phoenix suburb.
I and fellow residents are facing significant difficulties and dangers with the parlous state of the roads, which have not been serviced in all my 20 years of residence, streetlights again which were last attended to more than 20 years ago and the ever-increasing menace of rampant illegal mining activities which are further worsening the condition of municipal infrastructure which are roads, water and sewage reticulation as their digging is wreaking havoc in Globe and Phoenix.
</blockquote>
Adolfo told NewsDay that the illegal gold miners were using explosives in the residential area, endangering their lives. She said:
<blockquote>
My family can’t even go out of the yard in a car, because they have dug right by the gate,.
At this rate, we may not even be able to walk out of the yard. We have done all we can to have the problem addressed, but nothing is materialising.
We have approached many officers who have told us that their hands are tied to deal with the matter.
</blockquote>
The high rate of unemployment in Zimbabwe has forced thousands of young people across the country to resort to illegal gold mining to eke out a living.

Gold Panners Wreak Havoc In Kwekwe Residential Suburb

Six junior councillors – half of them below the age of 15 – who were part of Kwekwe Junior Council were reportedly impregnated or eloped with gold panners during the COVID-19 induced lockdown.
This was revealed during a Zimbabwe National Council for Welfare of Children (ZNCWC) annual convention recently. Zibagwe RDC chief executive officer, Farayi Machaya, said:
<blockquote>We are in the process of replacing the councillors and our officials are taking necessary steps to ensure that they are replaced.
It is worrying that they are supposed to be role models themselves but the worst then happens to them.
It is a touching development that everyone should work in trying to address.</blockquote>
ZNCWC board chair, Dr Lamiel Phiri said the development was alarming and relevant authorities should engage gold panners and educate them against “swiping” juveniles. He said:
<blockquote>Can you imagine losing six junior councillors, this is very bad. This goes on to show how early marriages have wreaked havoc in the country.
We hear stories of gold panners ‘swiping’ young girls for a certain fee, I never thought it was serious.
I suggest that relevant authorities engage these gold panners and educate them against swiping young girls.</blockquote>
Kwekwe District has a total of 56 junior councillors from Kwekwe City, Zibagwe Rural District Council and Redcliff Municipality.
Zibagwe RDC, which caters for the rural part was the worst affected.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/six-junior-councillors-elope-with-panners/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Six Female Junior Councillors "Swiped" By Gold Panners

Suspected fortune-seeking gold panners (Makorokoza) reportedly dug up a grave in Esikhoveni area in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South Province and they left the bones of the dead man scattered all over after they were reportedly told he was buried with a treasure which includes gold, Sunday News reports.
The incident that took place in the dead of the night was discovered by a passerby who reported the incident. The incident was confirmed by ZRP Matabeleland South spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele who said:
<blockquote>It is true that there is a case of that nature where suspected gold panners dug a grave believed to be a white man’s in search of gold. The dug-up grave was discovered by a local villager and a report was made to the police. We are treating the case as tampering with a grave but no arrests have been made so far. Investigations are still in progress</blockquote>
The District Development Coordinator, Mr Peter Mahlatini said the grave had been there for close to 7 decades and there had been a myth in the community that the white man who was buried there was buried with treasure:
<blockquote>The grave is not in a homestead. It is close to a functional mine and according to the village head – a Mr Mabhena it belonged to a white man who died around 1949. The gold panners could have believed the long-held community myth that the white man was buried with his treasure including gold or could have used their detectors and whatever they (detectors) told them, they could have followed that. After consultations with the relevant stakeholders we re-buried the remains on Wednesday.</blockquote>
No arrests have been made so far and the bones were reburied by the community.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/gold-myth-panners-dig-up-white-mans-1949-grave/">Sunday News </a>

Makorokoza Dig Up A Grave In Umzingwane After Being Told The Dead Man Was Buried With Treasure - Report

Notorious Makorokozas or illegal gold panners have reportedly started fortune-seeking close to the capital as they have camped at Kintyre Estates as they are digging a mountain near Lake Chivero further contaminating the Harare water source with chemicals, Sunday mail reports.
Harare Mayor, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Herbert_Gomba">Herbert Gomba</a> expressed his displeasure and confirmed the development by saying:
<blockquote>The illegal miners are discarding heavy chemicals such as mercury into Lake Chivero and as such have put the water body and human life at risk. We have referred the issue to both Government and the police so that they can be stopped.</blockquote>
Some have argued that these illegal gold panners are solid proof that gold is found everywhere in Zimbabwe as they notoriously dig so many places across the country in search of the precious mineral.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/makorokoza-close-in-on-capital-city">Sunday Mail</a>

Makorokoza Closing In On Harare - Report

Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister, Larry Mavima, has warned machete-wielding artisanal miners (makorokoza) that they will be shot if they engage in violence and terrorism.
Machete-wielding gangs (Mabhuru) terrorise people in areas such as Kwekwe, Shurugwi, Zvishavane and Mberengwa. Said Mavima:
<blockquote>This is a subject that is very close to my heart because I believe that as Zimbabweans we are generally a law-abiding society. We should have zero tolerance for violence. We cannot have a lawless society that terrorises law-abiding citizens, it doesn’t matter whether you are an artisanal miner or what.
In this particular case, I want to reiterate that we do not tolerate machetes. We do not tolerate violence because there is no need to use force in order to achieve your end of needs.
Very soon we will be applying for an eye philosophy or principle. That means that if you have machetes and you meet a law officer, and if they are armed they will retaliate and shoot.
This is because we cannot allow our young people to become that lawless to the extent that they take the law into their hands and believe that if they have a machete they are above the law.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/rowdy-amakorokoza-risk-being-shot/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday News</a></h4>

Machete-wielding Gold Panners (Mabhuru) Risk Being Shot - Mavima

Gold panners in Manicaland province are being preyed upon by corrupt officials. The illegal miners are forced to bribe the officials to avoid arrest.
Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) official Tracy Mutowekuziva told the media in Mutare recently that corruption in the sector can be curbed by formalising artisanal mining. She said:
<blockquote>Unregistered artisanal gold miners in Penhalonga are easy prey for corrupt government officials and guards who are demanding money from them to allow them to continue with their activities.
We are therefore pushing for the formalisation of this key segment in the mining industry and also assisting some of them to apply for claims and formalise their activities but even that too is difficult.
Formalising their operations will not only help curb corruption but also help preserve the environment so we hope the government will try to make the processes much easier for everyone.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2019/02/21/officials-feast-on-gold-panners">Daily News</a></h4>

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