Gold conflict erupts in Bulilima

VILLAGERS from Dombolefu and Dombodema wards in Bulilima District are headed for a confrontation following a conflict that has arose after gold deposits were discovered in the area.

Villagers from Dombodema are said to have invaded Village 30 in Dombolefu Ward and are mining gold, something that has irked the locals who have called community leaders to evict the ‘invaders’.

Dombolefu Ward Councillor Morgen Ndebele said a group of miners from Dombodema Ward were operating in the area while local villagers were not involved in the project.

“Villagers from Dombodema Ward have moved into our area and they are conducting mining activities, a development which is not going well with villagers from Dombolefu Ward.

“The villagers have demanded the eviction of these miners but the members of the syndicate have indicated that they have documents that allow them to mine in the area,’’ said Clr Ndebele.

He said the villagers were disgruntled that people from a different ward had invaded their area and were benefiting from resources that are supposed to benefit locals.

He said the miners did not consult the leadership of Dombolefu Ward before engaging in the mining activities.

He said it had also come to the attention of community leaders that miners who were not from Bulilima had already obtained licences to prospect in the area.

A villager from Dombolefu Ward, Mrs Sinikiwe Khupe said people from the area where the mineral was discovered have to benefit first. She said the villagers from Village 30 would not rest until the “intruders” were evicted.

Dombodema Ward Councillor Benjamin Nleya said he was aware that a mining syndicate comprising of people from his area that were operating under the name Male Syndicate were now mining in the neighbouring ward.

He said he was however, not sure how they were allocated the claims. Bulilima District Administrator Ms Ethel Moyo said she was yet to establish circumstances surrounding the mining activities as she had not been formally informed of the project.

She said she had also received unconfirmed reports that conflicts between villagers from the two wards had ensued over the mining activities.

She said officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development had however, pointed out that the area was a potential mining area.

Bulilima West National House of Assembly Member Cde Lungisani Nleya recently said a syndicate comprising of locals from Bulilima was now panning in Village 30.

He said the activity started after one of the villagers found traces of the yellow mineral. Gold was also discovered in the neighbouring district, Mangwe which marked a start to mining activities in the area.