By Passionate Fuza
Women in communities along the Ngezi River in the Zvishavane district in Midlands province are gripped by fear as artisanal mining activities rampage the area in a reign of terror and raping women . The miners are not only devastating the environment but now pose a threat to residents.
In an interview with The Weekly, local women reported a series of rape cases, including molestation of students by the artisanal miners in Ward 19, Zvishavane district.
Local community monitors, working with the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) have revealed that one such incident involves students who are raped while walking home from school.
Residents, particularly women, are raising alarm over cases of sexual abuse, environmental degradation, and receiving threats from these small miners when they question their operation.
In recent weeks, the community has been rocked by disturbing reports of sexual violence. A 16-year-old girl was raped, followed by another horrific incident four days later, in February where a mother of twins also fell victim of rape. These cases have left the community shaken, with women now speaking out against the dangers linked to illegal mining operations.
“We’ve tried to engage with men in the area to discuss these issues, but they’re afraid of intimidation from artisanal miners who are very violent when confronted,” said a local villager who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Local small-scale miners want to find solutions to the environmental damage caused by the destruction of river tributaries.
As miners continue to invade the area, traditional leaders are failing to act. Women in the community are discussing ways to stop these abuses and have appealed to authorities, but there has been no tangible response.
“This is happening in an area close to Mimosa turn off, and the community is seeking assistance from civic society organizations like CNRG because our efforts to engage with the miners have been fruitless, as they become violent and threaten community members when confronted,” said Masiiwa.
There’s massive environmental degradation along tributaries which feed into Ngezi River, attributed to artisanal mining operations that have recently begun in gold rich catchment the area.
The miners are leaving behind unrehabilitated shafts, which are claiming the lives of livestock. The community is appealing for help. Although the police sometimes intervene and chase the miners away, these efforts are unsustainable and intermittent.
The community suspects that the police are being bribed, which is why their operations are not yielding lasting results. In some cases, bribes as small as a few dollars are being given to policemen to turn a blind eye to the environmental damage and land degradation.
“We know that the police are receiving bribes because when they come to raid, the miners always return.
“The river is a source of life. It gives us water for our day-to-day livelihood and its now not safe,” said Masiiwa, who has begun rallying other women to take a stand. She emphasized that women, as custodians of the environment, must protect it- not just for today but for the future of the community.
The effects of mining are becoming more visible. Pits left behind are claiming the lives of livestock. The river, being mined for the first time, is now scarred and losing its natural form and beauty. The destruction is spreading in Ward 19, leaving communities worried about their future.
Even though police have been called in several times, community members say the response is not effective.
“They come but the miners continue. Sometimes we hear they are paid off,” said Masiiwa.
Residents also say they live in fear of speaking out, as miners reportedly threaten anyone who tries to raise concerns.
As the situation worsens, calls are growing louder for authorities to act decisively, protect vulnerable communities, and stop the destruction of Ngezi river.