Panners descend on Globe and Phoenix

Zim Now Writer

Fortune seekers have reportedly descended on Globe and Phoenix, Kwekwe, where they are digging up indiscriminately, leaving three historical monuments in on the verge of collapse as they dig for gold.

The illegal miners are digging tunnels and pits at the Paper House, where Rhodesia founder Cecil John Rhodes reportedly once stayed and is part of Globe and Phoenix Mine museums.

The properties, which are stone’s throw away from the central business district, also include a former “royal palace” now being used as a guest house by Kwekwe Consolidated Gold Mines.

So daring are the illegal miners that they have dug pits and tunnels all over the area, which are are encroaching onto some premises in the city. In the process, they destroy roads, streetlights and other infrastructure.

Kwekwe town clerk Lucia Mkandla confirmed saying council was aware of complaints over some gold panners who have encroached onto people’s homes and some infrastructure.

“These are poachers who are just trying to extract the minerals illegally. We have since notified the police and they are handling the matter,” she said, declining to comment further.

Earlier this year, Globe and Phoenix Primary School authorities raised alarm on the dangers posed by the same gold panners as they were encroaching onto school premises.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.