. . . police raises concern over machete attacks

POLICE in Mashonaland West have raised concern over the fierce fights between artisanal miners that could turn fatal if left unchecked.

This follows machete attacks by a gang of artisanal miners infamously known as Mashurugwi on fellow miners from Chinhoyi at Eldorado Mine on July 22.

year 2023,” he said.

Minister Chitando said all that would be centred mostly on Government initiatives in coal, coal-bed methane, lithium, platinum, nickel, ferrochrome and gold production, among other minerals.

He said this would see the

In an interview, police provincial spokesperson for Mashonaland West Province Inspector Clemence Mabweazara said they had since arrested six members of the gang.

The six, he said, also sustained serious injuries and were admitted at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital under police guard, while one of them was referred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.

“The police are not going

quadrupling of mining revenues over the next five years.

“However, what is important is that as these increased investments come, there are direct and indirect benefits,” he said.

Minister Chitando highlighted some of the possible tangible benefits. to rest until all the offenders have been accounted for and we would like to urge them to desist from any violence,” said Insp Mabweazara.

“The artisanal miners should also regularise their operations so that they avoid these unnecessary conflicts that may claim lives.”

Meanwhile, police are looking for suspects who stabbed Simon Chitika of Ruvimbo Phase 1 on the same day the artisanal

“Direct benefits in terms of the employment creation and the foreign currency creation, those are some of the direct ones to be derived,” he said.

“However, there are also indirect benefits as the mining companies also play their role in the socio-economic development of miners were engaged in their battles.

Chitika was attacked while seated in his car at Crystals Shopping Centre in Chinhoyi.

Insp Mabweazara said Chitika was taken to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital by his young brother who filed a report to the police at Chemagamba Police Station. Chitika is in a critical condition.

“His brother who had gone to purchase some items in the shop is the one who found Mr

the areas which they operate in.

“You will notice if one goes through the list of those proposed investments, which would be rolled out, most of them are fairly in centres outside the main town, so that would inevitably come with those mining companies playing a leading role in the Chitika bleeding profusely in his BMW car,’’ he said.

Insp Mabweazara said police were now on the ground and will continue monitoring market places, beerhalls and any other violent prone areas to maintain a peaceful environment across the province.

“We are appealing to the community to help us with any relevant information that will help us to get hold of the accused,’’ he said.

development of the socio-economic development of the areas they come from.”

Minister Chitando said Zimplats had set a good example on how the mining companies can benefit the areas they operate from.

He said the growth in the mining