The ManicaPost
Sharon Chigeza Post Correspondent
Thousands of artisanal gold miners and vendors who had invaded the DTZ-OZgeo gold claims along Mutare River in Penhalonga this week abandoned operations following an ultimatum issued out to them last week over health concerns at a time the country has been hit by the cholera epidemic.
Police gave the illegal miners an ultimatum to evacuate the gold claims by Friday last week on health reasons. By late afternoon on the day, the miners had been flushed out by police.
A visit by The Manica Post to the area this Wednesday found the place almost deserted with only a couple of defiant illegal miners working without any disturbances.
DTZ-Ozgeo chief security officer Moses Saunyama confirmed that by Wednesday morning less than 50 miners were left at the site.
“The operation was successful and timely as the number of artisanal miners was now too much and uncontrollable as well as posing health risks. Open defecation was putting both the miners and vendors at risk of disease such as cholera especially at a time the country has been hit by the epidemic,” he said.
