The Sunday News
Nohlelo Mlilo, Business Reporter
ILLEGAL miners are threatening rail infrastructure across the country by digging trenches close and under tracks resulting in disruption of services.
National Railways of Zimbabwe acting spokesperson Mr Martin Banda said most of the miners are involved in gold and chrome. He said digging trenches close to the rail lines was also putting the travelling public at risk because the tracks might collapse due to the weakened ground or surface.
“Digging trenches close to railway lines poses a risk to the travelling public and there is risk of rail collapsing under the weight of trains due to the weakened ground or surface, it also cost the NRZ a lot of money to replace a damaged rail, this money could be better used in developing the rail network instead of repairing damage deliberately caused by a few people,” he said.
Mr Banda said the practice by illegal miners was prevalent in Hambakwe, Chomvurui, Jumbo, Adams near Zvishavane, Tatagura in Mazowe and Bindura town where panning activities are taking place 500 metres along the railway reserve, Shurugwi, Ngezi River and Redfield and in Chiwundura.
“We appeal to the general public to be responsible and law bidding citizens to safeguard railway equipment and infrastructure for the development of the country.”
He said it was illegal to undertake mining or cultivation within railway reserve land.
“The railway reserve land is a strip 45m wider either side of the track on all main lines, the public must respect this strip of land and stop any farming, mining activities along the railways reserve as it is violation of the Railways Act,” he said.
The Railways Act (chapter 13, 09) Clause 38 paragraph 4, section c states that “any person who digs, excavates, drills, tunnels or otherwise tempers with ground within 45m on either side of the middle of railway track to the actual or potential detriment of the safety of railway traffic, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a period of not less than five years.”
