Three Nabbed for Illegal Mining

Witness Runodada- ZimNow Reporter

Three men have been arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities near Kofi River in Zvishavane.

The suspects, identified as John Hove, Norman Murawa, and Tendai Murawa, were apprehended on August 10 by detectives from the CID Minerals, MFU Zvishavane, during a routine patrol.

The arresting officers were Detectives Charles Mutonga, Ruramai Chipikigwa, and Mbongoro.

According to Detective Mutonga, the trio was caught in the act, with one suspect working inside a shaft, another assisting him, while the third lay beside the excavation site. He added that although one of the accused attempted to flee, he fell into a dugout pit, leading to his capture.

The three appeared before the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court on August 27 facing charges of unlawful mining.

During court proceedings, the accused denied the allegations, claiming they had been on their way to fetch firewood when they encountered the detectives.

“We met the officers along the way while carrying a shovel and an axe. They accused us of mining when we were not,” said Hove, the eldest of the accused.

The detectives presented a shovel and a pick as evidence, but the accused dismissed the claims, insisting the tools belonged to the officers.

“The shovel you are showing in court is old, yet we had a brand-new one. You are also showing a pick, yet we only had an axe,” argued Norman Murawa.

Detective Mutonga, however, maintained that the men had been apprehended while actively engaged in illegal mining.

“It is your right to argue, but as for us, we caught you in action with a shovel and a pick. What you are saying about an axe is news to me,” he told the court.

The case has drawn concern as it comes just four months after another illegal miner lost his life underground at the same site. The accused were reportedly arrested only 10 metres from where the fatal incident occurred.

The court remanded the matter to September 4, 2025, for continuation of trial