Eight people from the Midlands and Masvingo provinces have been sentenced to two years imprisonment each by the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court for illegal gold prospecting along the Mtshingwe River.
In a statement yesterday the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed the convictions of Watson Dovi (51) of Mberengwa, Rosely Matutu (38) of Mwenezi, Nobert Solomon Zhou (42) of Chivi, Johanes Chari (54) of Bikita, Benias Chidyamakono (50) of Mwenezi, Evinos Gumbo (50) of Mberengwa, Shady Mugari (33) of Mwenezi, and Musiiwa Mavhundutse (60) of Chiredzi.
According to the NPAZ, the group was arrested following a police operation targeting illegal mining activities and machete-wielding gangs in Zvishavane and Mberengwa areas.
“On the 5th of May 2026, at around 1230 hours, police officers conducting an operation targeting illegal mining activities and machete-wielding gangs in the Zvishavane and Mberengwa areas received information that illegal miners were prospecting for gold along the Mtshingwe River,” the NPAZ said.
Police swiftly moved to the reported location where they found the accused persons actively extracting gold using various mining tools.
“Police proceeded to the scene and found the offenders extracting gold using water pumps, shovels, picks, a panning dish and chisels,” the authority said.
The suspects failed to produce valid mining licences or permits authorising them to conduct prospecting activities, leading to their immediate arrest on site. Authorities also recovered equipment used in the illegal operations.
“The offenders failed to produce licences or permits authorising them to prospect for gold, leading to their arrest. Police recovered five water pumps, six shovels, two picks, one panning dish and two long chisels used in the illegal mining activities,” said the NPAZ.
The NPAZ reiterated that illegal mining remains a serious criminal offence that undermines both environmental protection and the country’s regulated mineral extraction framework.
“The NPAZ reiterates that illegal mining activities are criminal offences that undermine environmental protection, public safety and lawful mineral exploitation,” the authority said.
It urged members of the public to comply with mining laws and report illegal activities to law enforcement agencies, warning that continued disregard of regulations will result in arrest and prosecution.
“Members of the public are encouraged to comply with mining laws and report unlawful mining activities to law enforcement authorities,” the NPAZ added.
Illegal mining, particularly along river systems in the Midlands and Masvingo provinces, has been a persistent challenge for authorities, often resulting in environmental damage, siltation of water bodies and security concerns linked to artisanal mining conflicts.
